5 major hurdles facing DP Ruto in the race to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta
Challenges facing DP Ruto in his 2022 make or break moment to succeed President Kenyatta
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Although a recent opinion poll by IPSOS ranked him as the most preferred Presidential candidate in the 2022 elections, 5 obstacles stand between him and the presidency.
Fragile union with Uhuru
His first major hurdle is consolidating support in the vote-rich Mount Kenya region. With four years to go, dissenting voices have already emerged and are expected to grow louder with time. Although the Jubilee party leadership has maintained that the party is intact, politicians from the party have clashed on numerous occasions, exposing the simmering tensions with two rival camps emerging: one allied to the DP and another critical to his 2022 bid.
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The recent lifestyle audit directive by President Kenyatta has caused jitters within the party with a report released by IHS Markit suggesting that it could lead to the impeachment of the DP.
How the party navigates the divisions within (real or imagined) to remain intact will no doubt affect DP Ruto’s quest to be Kenya’s 5 president.
Choice of running mate
With the DP being the unchallenged Jubilee party candidate up to this moment, prominent politicians from different regions have expressed the interest to be his running mate. Regions eyeing the coveted post include Meru, Western Kenya, Tharaka Nithi.
Just like the DP delivered key political support and votes to President Kenyatta in 2013 and 2017, his running mate will greatly influence the votes he gets.
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As such, should he choose a weak running mate who is not capable of marshalling enough votes from his own political backyard and the nation at large, then his quest to succeed president Kenyatta could remain a pipe dream.
Financial capacity
That the DP is a man of able means is not in doubt. However, a formidable presidential elections campaigns requires funds running into billions of shillings. His ability to raise the required funds to put up a well-oiled campaign backed by funds and strategy will no doubt determine the outcome of the elections.
Opponents and new alliances
Deal cuttings, alliances and are known to largely influence the outcomes of elections. In his race to State house, the DP will no doubt need to enter into pacts with other politicians across the country.
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His rivals Wycliffe Oparanya, Dr. Alfred Mutua, Hassan Joho, Gideon Moi, Musalia Mudavadi, Kalonzo Musyoka among others.
Should his rivals unite under a formidable alliance to challenge his 2022 bid and floor him, Ruto will be cast into political wilderness and will have to wait for another 5 years before trying his luck again.
Raila Odinga influence
With a renewed political lifeline and career after the famous March 09 handshake, NASA leader Raila Odinga remains a key player in 2022 politics just like he has been in the past. The support he has acquired after several decades in politics and his unparalleled support in Nyanza region is the envy of many politicians.
Whichever side he chooses to support stands to benefit tremendously. At the moment, the DP appears less likely to secure Odinga’s support but in politics is full of surprises and nothing is impossible.
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2022 succession politics is already at play with DP Deputy President William Ruto’s allies marketing his bid to succeed President Kenyatta. President Kenyatta has however refrained from succession politics, instead opting to focus on development and the big 4 agenda even as a section of DP Ruto’s allies pile pressure on him to declare his stand.
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