The occasion was the opening of Eldoret Agricultural Show but the political symbolism of Ruto and Kibaki’s sense of ease with each other was not lost to discerning students of Kenya’s dynamic politics.
What was a routine agricultural trade fair has reignited debate on who between Ruto and Kibaki is wooing the other. It has also triggered questions on the possible impact of what some Kalenjin MPs call newfound ‘friendship’ with Kibaki on the pre-2012 elections alliance building.
And most poignantly, it has sent tongues wagging on Kibaki’s possible role and expectation in the so-called Kikuyu-Kalenjin-Kamba Alliance, whose initial plotters said was a joint platform for Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Ruto.
Ruto, who has been drifting away from Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s political armpit, kicked off the week with a message to Rift Valley leaders to turn up in large numbers to welcome Kibaki.
On the other hand, he also asked them to welcome Raila — who later cancelled his trip to the North Rift since it coincided with the President’s — the same way he was received in Kisumu a fortnight ago.
Kibaki’s visit, even if out of coincidence, raised eyebrows: First because Ruto’s ally, Cherangany MP Joshua Kuttuny, had told the country the Agriculture minister was a frequent visitor to State House.
This was bolstered by the fact that Kibaki met 21 Rift MPs in Eldoret the same day.
"We are enjoying a very good relationship with the President. William (Ruto) has been meeting him at State House regularly," revealed Kuttuny last month. The President’s office neither denied nor confirmed but the message sunk.
Again, last week ten Kalenjin MPs allied to Ruto broke ranks with their party — Orange Democratic Movement — and joined 65 other members led by ten Party of National Unity in signing a petition pushing for amendments to the Proposed Constitution.
The perception Ruto’s team has found common ground with PNU was reinforced when in the same week the same group of Rift MPs breached the party’s agreed position of resisting the planned MPs’ retreat to Naivasha, seen as a PNU project to lobby changes to the Proposed Constitution and voted with the President’s party to the chagrin of ODM’s top leadership.
Raila and ODM’s official stand remains the Proposed Constitution should be passed as it is.
Again, in the same week, as Raila grappled with fall-out with Ruto and his inability to suspend him over graft claims following Kibaki’s intervention, and Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi’s woes, the PM said the party was being sabotaged by PNU. Raila’s statement came as he also grappled with the aftertaste of his party’s removal of Ruto’s name from the House Business Committee, something that saw Rift MPs initially side with PNU.
Even though technically Raila was also out of PSC, Ruto’s political bloc, which still views Raila as one who betrayed their people by supporting Mau Forest evictions, read it as a scheme to either clip or humiliate the Eldoret North MP.
In Eldoret, the closest Ruto came to politics was when he said: "As leaders we should leave empty political rhetoric, power games and fight for political supremacy and put more emphasis and focus on managing challenges facing the country — such as poverty, unemployment, hunger and diseases."
But as the renewed war took shape, Raila was on Kass FM radio, which broadcasts in Kalenjin, in what appeared an attempt to appease Ruto’s community.
He alleged PNU was bribing some of his political allies-turned-foes to bring down ODM in an elaborate plan to recapture power in 2012.
Raila argued outsiders who "are giving sweets here and there" were fuelling the wrangles.
"The unfortunate bit is that my colleagues in the party do not realise these are still our enemies. How do you become friends overnight with people you were fighting (politically) the other day?" he posed.
However, sources reveal apart from majority of Kalenjin MPs, Ruto also enjoys blossoming political relationship with several MPs from North Eastern and Coast Provinces, as well as upper Eastern Province.
The genesis of Ruto’s tango with Kibaki is not easily discernible but the question asked often is whether Ruto is getting at Raila by working with his ‘enemy number one’.
Livestock Assistant Minister Aden Duale says the close working should not be seen as out of ordinary.
"When a Government comes into office, the leaders are expected to work together. Ruto and Kibaki are not doing anything wrong. All leaders should work together to deliver on the promises we made to the citizens," he said.
However, one thing is clear though: Kibaki has become a friend in need for Ruto.
Whether Ruto and his allies are charting a new political course or simply using the President to fight their party leader, Rift MPs do not shy to say they are politically done with Raila, a man their community voted for almost to a man in the last election, and gave him the Kalenjin name Arap Mibei (Man from place of many waters). Eldoret South MP Peris Simam said: "From maize scandal, Mau evictions, suspension of Ruto and his removal from the HBC, it is clear Raila has stepped on Ruto’s toes.
If truce is to be called, it is the one who has stepped on the other’s toes who should reach out and not vice versa."
Belgut MP Charles Keter and Kuttuny said they now recognise one leader in the country and their loyalty is to the Head of State. "Even though we are in the Grand Coalition Government, the country’s unifying leader is the President and we only have one President," said Keter.
Kuttuny accused the PM of undermining Rift MPs in their backyard by organising rallies and other functions without involving them, including last week’s cancelled tour of Ruto’s constituency.
However, Raila’s most vocal ally in the province, Nominated MP Musa Sirma, dismissed the notion Ruto is a kingmaker in the Rift.
"We are aware Ruto still receives financial support from PNU operatives to destabilise ODM from within," Sirma claimed.
Sirma also dismissed Rift MPs’ claims that Raila was undermining them in their constituencies arguing when they started fighting and snubbing him, the PM had to look for alternative leaders to work with at the grassroots.
ODM Chairman Henry Kosgey is on record hitting out at Ruto accusing him of being used by President Kibaki to divide the Kalenjin and wreck ODM.
Kosgey claimed Ruto was fighting Raila as part of a wider scheme to give Kibaki’s allies an upper hand in the 2012 General Election.
But Ainamoi MP Benjamin Lang’at said their engagement with the PM changed because of "Raila’s persistence at undermining Ruto".
"It is clear that Raila is keen on dimming Ruto’s rising political star at the national level by using every opportunity to undermine and malign him by linking him with issues of graft," he claimed.
Lang’at, however, explained the Kalenjin had no immediate plans to decamp from ODM.
Chepalungu MP Isaac Ruto claimed Raila came up with a plot to prop up opponents of MPs in Rift Valley to vie for their seats in 2012.
"When the PM openly criticises and undermines elected leaders in the province — calling them names — it clearly demonstrates abuse and disrespect of voters who supported him in the last polls," he said.
But despite ODM’s woes, Raila is optimistic: "ODM is still a formidable party. We can still get where we were going if we remain united. Whether it is Ruto, Mudavadi or Raila."
He added: "You cannot be elected President with Kalenjin or Luo votes only. One must endear oneself to all communities in Kenya. Resorting to alliances such as KKK is like reverting to colonial politics."
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