By Anderson Ojwang
Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta is turning out to be the new bride in the presidential race for 2027 with the Murima now seen as restive, edgy and slippery.
The scramble and race to court the son of Jomo reached a fever pitch over the weekend and on Monday after Mutu wa kati hosted the former president during his daughter’s wedding.
And on Monday, the eggs seller of Sugoi was in Gatundu meeting his former boss, in a move viewed by analysts and the public as seeking a new entry point in the mountain that is fast becoming hostile to him.
Welcome to the battle royale over the new bride in the house that pits President William Ruto and Wiper leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka. The battle for Uhuru constituency.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has been out of the country for most part of the year and his return to the country has reactivated a flurry of activities aimed at wooing him to the two political divides.
Already, Kalonzo is emerging as the strongest challenger to President Ruo after the exit of Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga from the local political scene to try his luck in the continental battle, where he is seeking the chair of the African Union.
Raila recently allowed his Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) lieutenants to join the broad-based government and currently enjoys a cordial relationship with President Ruto.
Top ODM officials namely, John Mbadi, Hassan Joho, Wycliff Oparanya and Opiyo Wandayi were included in the executive, and have become the main defenders of President Ruto’s administration.
This bromance has allowed President Ruto to get a positive reception in the hostile and volatile region in the recent past and he has now earmarked Nyanza as a possible vote bloc to boost his bid for a second term.
Kalonzo has been trying to climb the Mountain and on several occasions claimed that former President Uhuru was supporting his journey in the Murima and usually conveyed his greetings to the people.
Uhuru’s confidantes in the Mountains and outside including former Cabinet Minister Eugene Wamalwa, and Jubilee party official Jeremiah Kioni among others have been accompanying Kalonzo on mountain climbing trips.
At the wedding, Kalonzo thanked former President Uhuru for attending the ceremony of his daughter Damarie Saada and Martin Nyaga in Naivasha.
“I thank President Uhuru Kenyatta for his friendship and solidarity with my family by attending the wedding ceremony of our daughter in Naivasha”. President Ruto said his visit and discussion with the former President concentrated on key national matters, including the resolution of court cases related to the constitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission
They emphasized the importance of fostering a harmonious working relationship among all Kenyans and stakeholders, with a shared commitment to national unity.
President Ruto expressed gratitude to Uhuru for laying a solid foundation during his tenure, which has enabled the government’s implementation of critical programs under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
“President Ruto took the opportunity to reiterate his appreciation and commendation of His Excellency President Kenyatta’s statesmanship in overseeing the peaceful transfer of power after the 2022 general elections,” read part of the statement from the Presidential Communication Team.
Ruto said he reached out to Uhuru to bring leaders together and to build bridges instead of erecting barriers.
Kioni said Uhuru was only giving Ruto a supporting hand in his leadership but that will not affect the 2027 presidential contest.
Political analyst Mr Michael Agwanda argued the move by President Ruto to visit his predecessor was mainly aimed at forestalling any would-be alliance between Uhuru, Kalonzo and the impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
“Ruto fears the alliance of Uhuru, Kalonzo and Rigathi. The slippery and
edgy murima is a time bomb for Ruto in 2027. The constituency controlled by the three leaders will have a big say on the presidency in 2027,” he argued.
Agwanda said the visit by President Ruto to Uhuru cannot change the political decision the mountain has taken and Gachagua is now seen as the official leader of the region.
He said in politics there are no permanent enemies but interests and if Kalonzo happens to be ready to serve the interest of the two, it is possible they will support him.
“Mtu wa kupitia kati may just pull another shocker and that is why currently he is playing safe and endearing to the opposition leaders and may just gain from that arrangement and challenge President Ruto in the 2027 elections,” he said.
Former Nyakach MP Ochieng Daima said President Ruto’s move to visit Uhuru was strategic and was aimed at pacifying the mountain and controlling the slip after the fallout with Rigathi.
He argued that Uhuru still has a say in the region and with President Ruto seeking his support, the president is still interested in getting the mountain vote.
“You cannot rule Uhuru out of Central and it is possible Ruto may bring in the broad-based government some of the Uhuru allies and this may work in his favour in getting votes in the Murima,” he said.
Ochieng said former president Uhuru is turning out as the new bride and constituency in the Mt Kenya region and by extension, nationally and that is why Ruto and Kalonzo are scrambling over Uhuru.
Ochieng said the rattled President is not leaving anything to chance and that is why he wants Raila and Uhuru on his side to help him stabilize the boat and anchor his 2027 presidential defence.
