My attention has been drawn to an opinion by Jason Kap Kirwok in the Weekend Star of February 16/17 titled ‘West’s dilemma over Uhuru, Ruto'. My concern is the writer's claim that the Kalenjin vote is still in relative flux.
He claims that the reason it has not solidified is due to in the community around two related issues: trust and influence in government. Who, between Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga can be trusted to guarantee the Kalenjin significant influence in government?
According to the writer, the Kalenjin say Raila has shown in word and deed that he cannot be trusted. They point to the eviction of (mostly Kalenjin) squatters from the Mau Forest, his unwillingness to fight for the release of Kalenjin youth arrested for the post-election violence of 2007-08, and his sacking of William Ruto. According to the writer, the Kalenjin say Raila plays to the international gallery and would not hesitate to ship Ruto to The Hague in order to burnish his “statesman” credentials. These arguments are correct.
The writer says Kalenjins opposed to Uhuru have serious issues with him and the Kikuyu. They say Ruto is merely being used by Uhuru to ascend to power. They point to the dishonoured accord between Raila and Kibaki, and Kibaki and Kalonzo.
More importantly, they say the Kikuyus' hatred of Ruto for his alleged role in the PEV has merely been shelved temporarily and will resurface the day after Uhuru is sworn in as President.
Yes, it is true that there are some problems as far as Kikuyu-Kalenjin relations are concerned. However, the Kalenjin would prefer that these problems be solved by the two communities and not an outsider.
The truth of the matter is that the Kalenjin have already resolved to support Uhuru and Ruto and claims that the community has not decided on who to back are untrue.
The community decided long ago that it will be safe in hands with Ruto.
Ruto managed to rally the Kalenjin to reject the new law, so I wonder why some people still think that the community is yet to decide on who to support between Uhuru and Raila.
Claims that there are murmurs of discontent from among those close to Uhuru who are unhappy with Ruto’s "oversize influence" are just desperate attempts by Jubilee opponents to get votes from the Kalenjin community.
The writer forgot to mention that the Kalenjin are bitter about the two members of the community, Ruto and Joshua Sang, are facing charges at the ICC and nobody from Nyanza is.
Some Kalenjin will vote for Uhuru in protest. It should therefore be clear the Kalenjin are firmly behind Uhuru and Ruto and they will vote for Jubilee.
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