Top five president wannabes for 2022

The start of President Kenyatta's final term throws the country into a succession mood. Kenyans will be keen throughout the next 5 years in order to identify the leader who will take over from Uhuru Kenyatta. Below are some of the leaders who are likely to succeed Uhuru Kenyatta ceteris paribus;

William Ruto

William Samoei Ruto, 51, is currently the deputy president of the Republic of Kenya. All along, he's categorically declared his interest in the top job in the year 2022 when his boss and friend Uhuru Kenyatta's final term lapses.

A section of Jubilee Party leaders has seconded this but some have openly indicated that it's not automatic to ascend to presidency simply because you have been deputy president. According to them, anyone who wants to lead the country must have a good network and reach out to all Kenyans for votes. The opposition on the other side feels that WSR is inappropriate for the job. They argue that he's not fit for the job as his record is wanting- integrity.

He's challenged the naysayers who allege that he's corrupt to follow the right avenues as provided for by the constitution and challenge his status. He has consistently argued that he's a son of a peasant farmer and that it's his by sheer hard work and grace of God that he is where he is. Given his political brilliance and aggressiveness, he remains a front-runner for the top job. 

Gideon Moi

Gideon Moi, 54, is the son of retired president Moi. In the recent years, there are indications that the Baringo County Senator has his eyes and guns trained on the top job. He faces one major challenge; William Ruto. Deputy President has positioned himself as a political kingpin of the rift valley region where Gideon Moi hails from meaning the DP has greater political influence in the region and is able to marshal the support of the region for his presidential bid better than the son of Moi. 

Gideon Moi on the other side banks on his father's cordial relationship with President Kenyatta and his family. He hopes that Uhuru Kenyatta will endorse him. This is complicated since President Kenyatta has time and again declared that he will support his deputy to succeed him owing to the fact that Ruto has been very supportive and loyal.

They say that there are no permanent friends or enemies in politics. Kenyans, on the other hand, would be uncomfortable with Gideon's presidency given that his father served as a president too- the narrative that the country doesn't belong to few families could ruin his dream. 

William Kabogo

 William Kabogo Gitau, 56, is the former Kiambu County Governor. He lost his seat to his friend/rival Ferdinand Waititu. On one television interview, he told the interview, he told the interviewer that there's nothing wrong with a person having ambitions.

This is after the journalist asked him whether he would go for presidency someday. The flamboyant politician is likely to be Mt Kenya's Candidate for the job. He's aggressive and admired by many Kenyans. There's a probability that he might enter into a pre-election agreement with William Ruto... As his running mate. 

Stephen Kalonzo

Musyoka HE Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, 64, ran for the presidency a decade ago "successfully"- he became Mwai Kibaki's Vice President. In the previous two presidential election he has been Raila Amollo Odinga's running mate. In their 2012/2013 agreement/MOU, Raila Odinga had made Kalonzo believe that he would support him in 2017's presidential election if the latter agreed to back him up and be his running mate.

Whatever happened to their agreement remains unclear since in the recently concluded two presidential elections Kalonzo was still in the running mate position. The former Vice President is likely to take a shot at the presidency in the year 2022 either on his Wiper Party ticket or on a NASA ticket should "they" allow him.

Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi is likely to be his running mate. Fairly speaking, Kalonzo Musyoka is "generally acceptable" across the nation...this makes him the candidate who will give HE William Ruto a run for his money. 

Ali Hassan Joho

Ali Hassan Joho, 41, has also hinted that he could go for the top job. The Orange Democratic Party's deputy leader's chances of clinching the seat are quite slim given that his political appeal is not beyond Kenya's big cities. His bid looks like a joke but stranger things have happened- you can't dismiss him since it's still not clear what Kenyan voter looks for in a leader.

The flamboyant politician is one of the leaders in ODM party who are keen on succeeding Raila Amollo Odinga. Conclusion2022 presidential race will be a charged one. Monies, influence, manifesto and ethnicity are some of the key elements that will shape the race. William Ruto remains the strongest candidate in that race. A formidable rival is yet to be unveiled.

 Hon. Charles Bazenga