The recent defections witnessed from Azimio la Umoja to Kenya Kwanza have raised political eyebrows among Kenyans who doubted whether the opposition will excel in its oversight role.
Notably, Azimio La Umoja led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta castigated Ruto over the inroads he has made in the opposition.
In particular, Ruto was criticised for double-speak having reiterated that he will not take part in any handshake with Raila to ensure that there is a strong opposition to keep his administration under checks and balances.
Raila has not yet been drawn into a public disagreement with Ruto. However, Uhuru was quick to caution his former deputy to be wary of a stronger opposition than before, after he remained steadfast in supporting Raila.
"We must be prepared to be the strongest opposition and diligently discharge our duty. Get it, take it or leave it. I will be a proud citizen who will join my leader Raila, waiting for direction to be given.
"I will stand with him and I know what he has gone through," Uhuru stated on September 7, at Masai Lodge during a meeting with Azimio elected leaders.
Additionally, Raila's running mate Martha Karua, criticised Ruto for trying to create a one-party state as was the case during Mzee Daniel Arap Moi's era.
"This is a deliberate & sustained offensive to decimate the opposition and return the country to a de facto one-party state," Martha Karua stated in reference to the defection by former Kisii governor James Ongwae.
In defence, the outgoing DP has maintained that the most of leaders who have defected to his camp were in Azimio because of alleged threats and intimidation.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke social development consultant and political analyst Nafula Kisiang’ani, stated that the opposition's weakness was already portrayed in Parliament where Kenya Kwanza clinched the speakers' seats.
Former Bungoma senator, Moses Wetangula, and former Kilifi governor, Amason Kingi, were elected National Assembly and Senate speakers respectively.
She, however, warned that it would be a mistake to underestimate Raila and Uhuru as they are able to hatch new strategies to tame Ruto.
"If indeed the deep state still exists, then it is still a powerful force. It (deep state) understands the systems and definitely, they (Uhuru and Raila) have an influence on the people who were employed.
"I think the only way the opposition will be effective is through the back door especially now that Uhuru was president for 10 years," she stated.
Ruto, however, in a campaign rally, noted that there was no system and the deep state as alleged adding that he was familiar with all loopholes in government.
"Do I look like someone whose votes can be manipulated? I am not the deputy president?" Ruto wondered.
Nonetheless, University of Nairobi don Herman Manyora was of the opinion that the two will exit the political scene and mentor other leaders to assume the opposition mantle.
"Uhuru might not go to the opposition. We gave him a job and he did it and it is time for him to relax. Raila on the other hand has done a lot for this country and people have failed to appreciate him. If it is about the opposition, let other people play that part," he stated.
In the event the opposition is not strong enough to keep Ruto's government in check, Kisiang'ani stated that there were other institutions that will play the oversight role as they were empowered by Kenya's mature democracy.
Civil society and activists such as Okiya Omutatah, she underlined, will always speak up against oppression.
"We also have a good judicial system that has proved to be efficient," she added.
