The events and the man who propelled DP Ruto to national politics
The intrigues behind Ruto's rise to become President Kenyatta's deputy
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The Eldama Ravine declaration iof January 2006 which saw a group of 14 MPs converge at Koibatek, Baringo County and declare that they would support Ruto in the 2007 elections was Ruto’s big break.
Musa Sirma was behind the Eldama Ravine declaration that propelled DP Ruto from a little-known MP to the position of Kalenjin community spokesman.
As his influence grew in Kalenjin land and beyond, he got a national profile and found a place among ODM’s Pentagon that included Raila Odinga, Musalia Mudavadi, Najib Balala and Joseph Nyaga.
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The self-made politician would lose the ODM presidential ticket to Raila Odinga but his influence would grow considerably as he aggressively campaigned for Odinga all over the country.
In the grand coalition government that followed the disputed 2007 elections, he was appointed to the ministry of Agriculture and later moved to the ministry of higher education.
A fallout with Odinga would see him chart his own political path and bolt out of ODM to United Republican Party.
His prosecution at the Hague would see him win sympathy among his supporters, some of whom blamed Odinga for not standing by Ruto who aggressively campaigned for him.
His prosecution at the Hague would also see him strike a bond with Uhuru Kenyatta (then serving as Deputy Prime minister and Minister for Finance) who was also facing prosecution in relation to the 2007-2008 post-election violence.
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The two would form Jubilee Alliance Party and bring on board leaders from other regions in a powerful alliance.
Owing to the overwhelming support they had in their vote rich turfs of Rift Valley, Central Kenya and beyond the duo ascended to power, flooring Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka on a joint ticket in the 2013 elections.
The joint Uhuru-Ruto duo would face the same opponents in 2017, flooring them once again in a hotly contested election and repeat polls.
The self-declared Hustler has now focused his eyes on the presidency in 2022. Among the obstacles standing between him and his dream is Mr. Odinga who still commands a considerable following.
The field is steadily getting crowded with Gideon Moi, Moses Wetangula, Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi and Alfred Mutua declaring interest in the seat.
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