Nairobi Governor might having a tough time being a guest of the State, this time not in reserved VIP sections of five star hotels but instead in the dingy stinking cells of the state.
His fortunes have turned south so fast that it is almost unbelievable how hard the mighty Sonko has sunk down. But when we trace Sonko’s misfortunes, his troubles boils down to one man, Deputy President William Ruto.
Back in early 2017, when political parties were still contesting for their primaries, DP Ruto was the man to be feared in Jubilee party. Widely expected as Uhuru’s successor, Ruto and allies quickly started flexing their muscles against their perceived enemies to ensure their allies got the certificates.
In Nairobi, DP Ruto almost stalled the progress on presidential campaigns in Jubilee by insisting nothing would have moved ahead if Sonko was not given a nomination certificate. At the time Sonko was head to head with Peter Kenneth, a choice many believed was being groomed by Mt. Kenya to take over in 2022.
Because of this, Ruto fought hard and defended Sonko to the point of the president intervening on the matter and pressing on the DCI to issue the clearance certificate to Mike Sonko. You would remember the president was not too happy about this and would later be campaigning for Peter Kenneth in Murang’a for Nairobi Gubernatorial position.
At this point Ruto was already sidelining himself from the bigshots at Jubilee who also started seeing him as a threat.
The same takeover by Ruto was demonstrated in Kiambu when he pushed aside Kabogo and ensured Waititu got the ticket. Mr Kabogo, and most of the Central Kenya politicians who lost in the primaries, claimed that they were rigged out and Ruto’s hands were behind it. You can read a history of this story from the Nation.
At the time, and understandably so, the campaigns were just picking momentum and Ruto was nothing but assured of succeeding President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2022.
For Ruto, having allies in Governors from such strategic and commanding counties like Kiambu, Nyeri, Nairobi would make or break his presidential bid, and a lot of it was also for him to raise funds for campaigns.
Now with both Waititu and Sonko facing an early exit from office, Ruto’s plans for these regions are thwarted with a terrible loss.
Among the many other losses Ruto is counting, the lucrative business deals he enjoyed from insurance to transport with the counties are now up to scrutiny with the CS for Internal Security Fred Matiang’i almost coming shot of cancelling a huge insurance tender with AMACO a company associated with the DP.
His assurance of political support in these regions is now at stake. Without the surety of an ally retaining the position and considering the scrutiny the DCI, EACC and DPP have shown in their financial statements, its unlikely Ruto will get a fat bounce back up in these counties.
With Nairobi and Kiambu quickly falling out of his grip, Ruto will be forced to come out open and start defending his political interests.
