Grumbling in URP as Uhuru skips votes hunt

Deputy President William Ruto addresses Kericho residents at Uhuru gardens during a campaign rally for a JAP candidate on March 5, 2016. URP politicians, who feel he should have helped Deputy President William Ruto in the campaigns, said this was not conducive for cohesion in the ruling coalition. PHOTO | DPPS

What you need to know:

  • Mr Kenyatta, who is in Ghana for that country’s independence celebrations, made one appearance in Malindi in January during a working holiday at the coast and never returned.
  • A loss would also embolden URP rebels led by Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, who has teamed up with Kanu’s Gideon Moi to challenge Mr Ruto as the Kalenjin kingpin.

Loud murmurs are emanating from URP politicians after President Uhuru Kenyatta skipped all the campaigns in Malindi and Kericho, with some suggesting he might have left his deputy to his own devices.

Mr Kenyatta, who is in Ghana for that country’s independence celebrations, made one appearance in Malindi in January during a working holiday at the coast and never returned.

URP politicians, who feel he should have helped Deputy President William Ruto in the campaigns, said this was not conducive for cohesion in the ruling coalition.

But observers say Mr Kenyatta’s absence could work against or for his deputy.

While some say a win would give Mr Ruto more muscle to emasculate dissent in the South Rift, others warn a loss could mark the beginning of his fall as this could be interpreted to mean he cannot make it without Mr Kenyatta’s support.

“The President may have chosen to play it safe in the face of the poisoned political environment, with Kanu threatening to spoil the party in Kericho. This may, however, prove counter-productive as his presence might have helped sway some voters to their side,” political analyst Tom Mboya said.

A loss would also embolden URP rebels led by Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, who has teamed up with Kanu’s Gideon Moi to challenge Mr Ruto as the Kalenjin kingpin.

That the President stayed away from the campaigns for Mr Aaron Cheruiyot in Kericho and Mr Philip Charo in Malindi does not, however, imply TNA also avoided them.

Senate Majority leader Kithure Kindiki pitched tent in the areas, making it clear the government was behind the JAP candidates.

Mr Kenyatta’s presence at a time his deputy is fighting mounting opposition in Rift Valley would have gone a long way in showing solidarity with him.

A fortnight ago, the DP was forced to make a rare apology in Kericho after residents bitterly complained that Jubilee had neglected the region in terms of development.

But Director of Public Communication Munyori Buku downplayed the President’s absence on the campaign trail.

“There was an able team on the ground doing the campaigns. The team will bring the trophies home,” he said.

Jubilee insiders say the President has not been keen on by-election campaigns although in 2014 he vigorously supported eventual loser George Wanjohi against ODM’s Stephen Kariuki in the Mathare mini-poll.