By Anderson Ojwang
The old scar of the covenant of “yangu kumi na yake kumi” has returned to haunt the proponents, the immediate former president Uhuru Kenyatta and his successor William Ruto.
The bromance witnessed after the 2013 general elections has currently been replaced by bare knuckles as Uhuru and Ruto go for another gauntlet.
Ruto, after successfully dismantling Uhuru in the 2022 general election where he defeated his preferred candidate, the late Raila Amolo Odinga, to secure his first term, now will have to contend with the rematch.
Uhuru is out to stop Ruto from actualising his “yake kumi” and this week threw the first jab when he asked Mt Kenya and Kenyans about the gains of the hustler and dynasty narrative that became the key campaign platforms.
“What has the narrative of hustlers and dynasties brought to you? What will it bring to you? Now wait to be told another politics of the tribe. What will it bring to you apart from problems? Do not agree and accept, but remain focused and look ahead for change that will improve your well-being,” he said.
But Ruto’s allies did not take it lying down and accused Uhuru of harbouring bitterness and jealousy towards President Ruto.
UDA National Chairperson Cecily Mbarire and Secretary General Hassan Omar wrote: “President Uhuru, we have heard you loud and clear. First, temper your intense bitterness, fierce jealousy, endless envy, and toxic obsession with William Ruto.”
They said it was time Uhuru accepted that Ruto won the 2022 presidential elections against his schemes and machinations.
“For once, be a democrat. William Ruto is now the President of Kenya. That is a reality you must live with and accept,” they wrote.
President Ruto ran on the narrative of a hustler nation against the Raila-Uhuru team, which they described as political dynasties that must be sent home and away from the country’s leadership.
In this context, hustlers refer to those – especially young people – who struggle to make ends meet in an economy that is said to be no longer working for them.
The word dynasties, on the other hand, is a moniker to describe wealthy families that are seen to have dominated politics – and the economy – since independence from the UK in the 1960s.
Economic turbulence
Uhuru told Ruto to tackle the harsh economic times and engage Kenyans to find a solution, but the president’s allies accused the former president of handing over a collapsed economy.
Uhuru said the harsh economic times were the actual problem facing Kenyans and should be addressed.
“We know where the problem lies. Deal with the issue, and it is simple. People are rioting because of harsh economic times in the country. Look at the trouble affecting the country and stop getting into tribal politics.”
But the UDA officials hit back, saying: “In many respects, you handed over one of the most broken governments in Kenya’s modern history. You handed over a collapsing economy, a suffocating public debt burden, broken institutions, demoralised sectors, and a country on the brink.”
They claimed Uhuru confessed during the Azimio parliamentary group meeting that he had expected Kenya’s economy to collapse within three months of President Ruto’s takeover.
“You were so convinced that the country would crash under the weight of the failures and economic sabotage your administration had engineered. Ruto stabilised the economy and prevented the default disaster your administration had engineered,” they said.
Uhuru challenged the political class to practise politics of ideology and issue-based engagement.
“We cannot allow ourselves to be divided because we are all Kenyans. Let us talk about what we will do for Kenyans and how we will solve the current problems we have in Kenya. This is our ideology and political game plan to leadership,” he said.
Transition
Uhuru said he handed over power peacefully to his successor despite arrogance and mistreatment from the incoming regime during the transition.
But Ruto’s allies dismissed his claim, saying: “You claim to have handed over power peacefully to Ruto. Of course you did. You had no option. That is the beauty and finality of our constitutional democracy.”
Politics of ideology and service
Uhuru told Ruto and his allies to engage in politics of ideology and service to the country and to stop introducing the narrative of tribe in the 2027 elections.
Uhuru accused those in the government of plotting to use the narrative of tribe to win votes and warned that they were setting a wrong precedent.
“How many tribes live in Kiambu? You have accommodated them, and they live here. Some you have even elected as MCAs because of their leadership qualities and not tribe. Let us support our neighbours regardless of their tribe because when they develop, you also grow,” he said.
Uhuru warned that the politics of tribalism could easily land Kenya back in the dark days of the 2007 general elections.
“As a nation, it is important to be honest and truthful because if we don’t talk the truth, we will regress to old mistakes we made in this country. It is not the first time to witness leaders speak on things that can bring chaos in the country. The last time we saw was in 2007, and what happened? Don’t think it started there with the elections. No, it started with the kind of statements by the political class, and currently we are witnessing the same today,” he said.
Uhuru warned against politics of tribe and division, saying it will undermine unity in the country.
“We have started to see others playing politics of division, and they speak those things in front of those leading the nation. They are inciting and want to bring chaos, and nobody in the leadership is standing out to stop and warn them against such statements,” he said.
Uhuru appealed to the country’s leadership and security officers to clamp down on such statements aimed at creating chaos in the country.
But Ruto’s allies reacted, saying the president has corrected Uhuru’s mistakes in stabilising the economy across the sectors of agriculture, affordable housing, road infrastructure, expansion of JKIA airport, among others.
“Kenyans should know that when the country needed collective effort and national resolve, Ruto reached out to you. He sought cooperation for the sake of national stability and continuity. You refused. Instead, you retreated into bitterness and political vengeance,” they said.
They claimed Uhuru has been undermining Ruto by mobilising political hostility, fuelling public anger, and quietly hoping the country fails so that his prediction of collapse can appear correct.
Uhuru challenged the youths to vie for leadership positions to help change the destiny of the country.
“Let the youths take over the leadership. Don’t be a leader of cheap popularity, as it will take you nowhere. Be a leader who can uplift your brothers and sisters and make a difference in someone’s life,” he said.
Will “yangu kumi” fight to deny “yake kumi” the final term and have his allies in the driving seat?
