New Protocol in Ruto Rallies Reveals Hierarchy in Earthquake Coalition

Musalia Mudavadi William Ruto
ANC Party Leader Musalia Mudavadi and Deputy President William Ruto exchange pleasantries during the ANC National Delegates Conference
DPPS

The protocol in Deputy President William Ruto’s public events has changed following the earthquake coalition that brought his United Democratic Alliance (UDA), together with Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi, and Ford Kenya's Moses Wetangula. 

Analysis by Kenyans.co.ke established that the line up of leaders who address crowds during political rallies has been modified to accommodate Mudavadi and Wetangula as well as their allies.

Before the pact that led to the formation of Kenya Kwanza, Ruto was UDA’s keynote speaker, and was always welcomed by Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua.

However, in recent joint campaigns with Mudavadi and Wetangula, the DP is now introduced by the ANC party leader.

musalia mudavadi
Alice Wahome, Anne Waiguru, Moses Wetangula, Musalia Mudavadi and DP William Ruto at a Kenya Kwanza rally in Kirinyaga on January 29, 2021
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ANC Party

The DP is also in charge of making plans for the coalitions, as he did when he announced the schedule of public rallies that followed the announcement of the coalition at the Bomas of Kenya last Sunday, January 23. 

While ANC has remained adamant that their presidential candidate would maintain his quest for the country’s top seat in the August 9 polls, an alleged leaked pre-election memorandum of understanding (MoU) between him and Ruto, cast more doubts on the same.

According to the leaked document, Mudavadi would settle for the position of Chief Minister should Ruto ascend to power.

UDA has since distanced itself from, the letter and asked its supporters to ignore the misrepresentations and that the reports were doctored to suit a certain political narrative. 

"The cooperation between UDA, ANC and Ford Kenya is aimed at bringing all Kenyans together, driving Kenya towards economic prosperity by adopting the bottom-up economic model na pesa mfukoni model," the statement read in part.

Incorporation of the two former One Kenya Alliance (OKA) principals has also seen Gachagua and Kandara MP,  Alice Wahome take lesser roles in the political campaigns.The DP has in the past hinted that he would settle on either of the duo as his running mate - a move largely seen as meant to rally the Mt Kenya vote behind the UDA presidential candidate. 

Notably, Rigathi still maintains his position, as he often speaks right before or after Wetangula. Whoever speaks last of the two gentleman invites Mudavadi as the second-last speaker. 

On the other hand, Wahome still remains among the key speakers in the joint-meetings including the parliamentary group convergence at the DPs residence.

Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua speaks with Deputy President William Ruto during a rally in Kirinyaga County on Saturday, January 29.
Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua speaks with Deputy President William Ruto during a rally in Kirinyaga County on Saturday, January 29.
Rigathi Gachagua