As former Prime Minister Raila Odinga continues to heap pressure on President William Ruto to resign, the head of state unveiled a counter strategy that stunned his perennial rival, forcing him to return to the drawing board.
Ruto embarked on a mission to persuade Raila's young allies to desert him, as he sought to consolidate support from the Nyanza region.
Politics being a game of interest and numbers, the musical chairs seem to have gathered pace, with Raila seeking to quell the rebellion in his backyard.
However, as he struggles to reinvent himself, analysts argued that Ruto may have choreographed his outdoing.
Kenyans.co.ke sought the opinion of Political and Governance expert, Dr Jane Thuo, on the implications of Ruto's latest move to pluck MPs from Raila's hand.
Among them were Phelix Odiwour - Jalang'o - (Lang'ata), Mark Nyamita (Uriri), Tom Ojienda (Kisumu), Shakeel Shabir (Independent - Kisumu Town East) and Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Gideon Ochanda (Bondo)
According to Thuo, Ruto's meeting with the Nyanza MPs was inconsequential.
“Whatever happened at State House was MPs self-seeking for their interest. The masses are disgruntled on the ground with the economic hardships that seem not to have changed six months into a new administration,” she stated, explaining that the citizens may side with Raila in his row against Ruto.
Equally, Thuo stated that the move by opposition MPs warming up to Ruto would not dampen Odinga’s resolve as he was speaking the language that resonated with the masses.
She further opined that as much as the Azimio Coalition appeared weak, notable leaders were still sticking with Odinga, a key indicator of a possible succession plan.
“Those sticking with Odinga will be groomed to succeed him. Kalonzo and Karua will now be strong going into the future as they now seem to align with the masses' interest,” she observed.
Additionally, Thuo noted that as much as there was a purge in Azimio, all was not rosy in the Kenya Kwanza coalition either.
“There is a lot of displeasure in Kenya Kwanza, especially after the president moved to ban MPs' regional caucuses in Parliament. These MPs will feel ignored and join Odinga who is out speaking directly to the people,” she stated.
Odinga, the political expert added, would benefit from such scenarios even as his coalition was losing troops.
“Discontented leaders might join up with Odinga, in the long run, to get their voices out as they feel limited raising them while in government. The masses are impatient, yearning for reforms, and it is taking too long for the pledges to be fulfilled,” the scholar explained.
Odinga's Azimio coalition called for a retreat on Thursday, February 9, to brainstorm on the status of the coalition while at the same time consolidating its base with planned rallies slated for Mavoko in Machakos.
