Are Rift MPs plotting Ruto succession?

By Edwin Cheserek

KENYA: When former President Daniel Moi left power in 2002, his exit created a political leadership vacuum in the vote-rich Rift Valley.

Though the region remained under the grip of the Independence party Kanu, none of the politicians, especially from the Kalenjin community, was touted to be the former President’s possible successor.

It was until Deputy President William Ruto took over as the regional kingpin, teaming up with influential personalities to change the political landscape of the expansive province.

But with the recent thrust of Ruto into national politics as Deputy President, a new crop of politicians are ensuring there will be no leadership vacuum in the future.

Although they deny having ambition to succeed Ruto, these politicians agree there is need for generational hand over of leadership in the region.

“There are a host of politicians who are a generation below the Deputy President and they equally stand to benefit from his mentorship in future,’’ Elgeyo/Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen told The Standard on Saturday.

Political mentor

The youthful Senator, who is in his early 30s, said it is wrong for people to misconstrue their political stand on issues to mean they are undermining the Deputy President.

“The DP remains a mentor to many and we still rely on his guidance to succeed as new entrants in the political arena. So for someone to suggest that we are undermining him is to say the least, misinformed,” he said.

Murkomen cited his stand on devolution, saying he should not be perceived to be championing his political interests yet he has been executing his responsibilities as the chairman of the Senate Committee on Devolved Government.

“What I am doing is simply positioning Jubilee as far as devolution is concerned. We want to see that what the government promised the people is implemented to the letter to avoid blame games,” he said.

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto also said it is unfortunate that people have been made to believe that politics dominate his sustained push for the implementation of devolution in the country.

“I have no other ambition other than ensuring that devolution is implemented. This is part of my duties as the chair of the Council of Governors and that should be understood,” he told The Standard on Saturday.

Though he says he has the right to seek a higher post in the country’s politics in future, Governor Ruto said his ambitions are not in any way linked to the push for full implementation of devolution.

He said the push for constitutional amendments to safeguard 45 per cent of resources under the devolved systems will ensure that counties are empowered in terms of resources to grow their economy.

Catch-22-situation

He said there is need to accommodate divergent views so long as personal interests do not override the interest of the common man.

Political analyst Paul Chirchir said the two leaders have innocently been caught up in a “catch-22-situation”, having to decide on party loyalty and loyalty to the 47 counties.

“Being the chairpersons of two different institutions means that the two must lead from the front because they want to be pro-active so that those they represent appreciate them,’’ he said.

But Chirchir said there is a thin line between the agenda of the two as heads of institutional units and their political aspirations.

He pointed out that both Murkomen and Ruto stand to benefit politically if their stewardship of the devolution agenda endears them to Kenyans.

“But it is only fair that this is not used to fight them politically because of their catch-22-situation. Besides, they earned these positions by virtue of their leadership capabilities,’’ Chirchir said.

  Impeachment

In recent weeks, Ruto has found himself at loggerheads with Kalenjin MPs for his strong and fierce stand on devolution after he accused the Jubilee government of frustrating devolution.

Governors were angered after the government indicated it would take away certain functions, among them the rehabilitation of roads.

Governor Ruto however stood his ground, forcing the government to rescind its stand.

This came after a group of 40 Kalenjin MPs criticised and called for his impeachment.

The Bomet Governor however laughed off the claims and told the MPs to stop what he termed “sycophantic” tendencies which he likened to the days of the late Mulu Mutisya, Kariuki Chotara and Kihika Kimani, saying they did not have place in this day and age.