How DP Ruto plotted ODM’s defeat by Julius Mawathe (Wiper) and David Ochieng victories in Ugenya and Embakasi South elections

Details have emerged, placing Deputy President William Ruto at the center of Orange Democratic Movement’s embarrassing defeat in the recent Ugenya and Embakasi South constituency by elections.

It has since emerged that DP Ruto, along with his wing popularly referred to as ‘Team Tangatanga’ worked publicly and behind the scenes in a perfect strategy that secured victory for their candidates, white-washing those fronted by ODM and supported by Raila Odinga.

After Jubilee party opted not to field candidates in the by-elections, DP Ruto’s camp pitched tent in Embakasi to campaign for Wiper Party’s Julius Mawathe and covertly backed Mr David Ochieng in Ugenya.

It was a declaration by Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala that left no doubt on the behind the scenes machinations with the by-elections ending up being a contest between DP Ruto and opposition Chief Raila Odinga

“The Ugenya contest is not about Chris and the other guy. It is a faceoff between Raila and Ruto. If you vote Chris, you will be voting for Raila. If you vote the other guy, you will be voting for Ruto,” Malala.

While the ODM brigade dragged Mr Ruto’s name into the campaigns, a group of MPs allied to DP Ruto worked tirelessly to avail campaign resources to Mr Ochieng and Mr Mawathe. They also got into the campaigns to appeal to swing votes.

ODM party leader Raila Odinga campaigning for Irshad Sumra at a campaign rally in Mukuru Kwa Njenga Pulse Live Kenya

Each side deployed its troupes to secure victory in a scathing campaign with DP Ruto’s camp using the contest to test the waters ahead of 2022.

DP Ruto's camp celebrating victory and rehearsal for 2022

Their efforts were rewarded with victory with DP Ruto taking to Twitter to celebrate in a post that left no doubts on which side he supported.

In what is one of the most embarrassing losses to Odinga’s ODM party in recent days, voters, including in his own home county of Siaya went against Odinga’s pleas “not to embarrass me (Odinga) at the ballot” and voted overwhelmingly for candidates from rival parties.

“Congratulations Ochieng and Mawathe for your God-given victory. Jameni wacheni MUNGU aitwe MUNGU. The hustler nation has spoken. The people have decided. GLORY TO THE ALMIGHTY GOD,” DP Ruto tweeted.

Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro-a close ally and loyal supporter of DP Ruto cleared the air stating that indeed their candidates had emerged victorious.

Ugenya constituency MP elect David Ochieng who floored ODM's Christopher Karan Pulse Live Kenya

“Our candidates Hon Ochieng and Hon Mawathe are curtain raisers for 2022. The people of Ugenya...turned out in large numbers after being told Kura kwa Ochieng ni kura kwa Ruto (a vote for Ochieng is a vote for Ruto),” Nyoro said.

DP Ruto’s camp have made it known that they would be keen to repeat a similar feat in 2022, terming the by-elections a rehearsal of 2022 in which they have exuded confidence of cruising to victory.