Why Ruto is just heartbeat away from top seat

By Oscar Obonyo

NAIROBI,KENYA: Unlike those who served before him as President’s principal assistant, since Kenya’s independence 50 years ago, William Samoei Ruto steps into office a more confident and secure politician.

While Ruto’s predecessors were singly appointed by presidents and served at the president’s whims and pleasure, the President cannot fire the current holder of the Number Two slot.

This means their differences (if any); Uhuru Kenyatta will be stuck with Ruto until the end of the life of the Eleventh Parliament.

This is because the Number Two slot is now influential as the holder enjoys security of tenure – thanks to the new Constitution.

The position has even changed title from Vice-President to Deputy President, meaning the holder can act as President with full constitutional powers.

Functions of the now powerful position of Deputy President, as per Article 147, section (1) of the Constitution, include that of being “the principal assistant of the President” and deputising “for the President in the execution of the President’s functions”.

Article 146 of the Constitution, section (2) subsection (a) further stipulates that when a vacancy occurs in the office of President, “the Deputy President shall assume office as President for the remainder of the term of the President”.

Nigeria has a similar power arrangement where President runs for office with a designated running mate, for a full four-year term.

During his second term of office between 2003 and 2007, for instance, two-time former President Olusegun Obasanjo was literally stuck with a Vice- President he disliked.

The friction between Obasanjo and his VP Abubakar Atiku, was aggravated by the latter’s opposition to the former President’s bid to change a constitutional clause to accord him eligibility to run for a third term in office.

Unable to fire Atiku, President and VP spent the rest of the term in office feuding.