Why Ruto Should Rethink about his Strategy and Embrace Regional Kingpins

The recent by-elections are a great lesson to any Kenyan leader who ever thinks to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta. Deputy President William Ruto, who is among the possible frontline presidential candidates, should use the by-elections as a strategy to rethink about his future political engagements.

The dismal performance of his UDA-allied Party in the three parliamentary elections speaks volume about the significance of regional leaders. In Western region, ANC Party leader Musalia Mudavadi and his Ford Kenya counterpart Moses Wetangula combined efforts to thwart any new political inroads to their backyard.

Similarly, in Ukambani former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka stamped his authority as the regional leader by trouncing other parties as his Wiper candidate Agnes Kavindu carried the day as the Machakos Senator elect.

Currently, Ruto lacks any serious regional Kingpin in his fold. The only seasoned politicians backing his candidature are former Kakamega Senator Dr. Bonnie Khalwale and former Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama.

The two aforementioned leaders are not a valuable asset to him because they are currently not holding any political office and they are also not influential in their respective backyards. Muthama suffered a major setback, when Kavindu won with an overwhelming landslide victory over his closest UDA candidate.

The by-election was held on March 18 following the death of Boniface Kabaka late last year. Kavindu garnered over 104,000 against Urbanus Ngengele (UDA) who had less than 20,000 votes.

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