After being frozen out of government in a ploy seen to block his ascension to top power, Deputy President William Ruto devised new methods to keep alive his hope for succeeding Uhuru Kenyatta in 2022.
Ruto set out to position himself as a man of the people and upset the post-colonial status quo that meant elections were contested and won along tribal alliances.
His was a new campaign strategy that opponents dismissed as divisive and not providing long-term solutions. Nevertheless, it now looks to be the new battle front in town.
In the strategy, Ruto sought to charm the common mwananchi – christened the ‘hustler nation’ – with the aim of capturing the imagination of informal groupings, especially boda boda riders.
This has seen him traverse Kenya dishing handouts to these groupings that he claims has been neglected by the State – the very government that has sidelined him.
With this, the 53-year-old politician has popularised his presidential ambition with such unprecedented vigour and aggressiveness, drawing criticism from opponents.
But the DP has defended his ’empowerment drives’ saying they have been misconstrued for campaigns and that what he has been doing is similar to the government’s Kazi Mtaani project.
Making inroads
Lately, Ruto has been making forays mostly in Gusii and Mt. Kenya regions with numerous visits to hold fundraisers.
In his tour of the regions, Ruto has raised funds for various churches, women groups and boda boda riders.
The DP has been donating motorcycles, handcarts, wheelbarrows and salon equipment to the youth to lift them out of economic hardship exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.
The move, has been sharply criticised by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga who called on DP Ruto to stop “misusing the youth” by giving out handouts.
One such instance was during the launch of Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report in Kisii; Raila said the country had several challenges that need consensus on solving.
“Wheelbarrows will not help our people. Don’t pretend to solve issues that you have not identified. Our communities have identified these issues, let’s allow due process and have a conclusive document,” he said.
However, Ruto pushed back and maintained that his aim is to influence the lives of low-income earners. Therefore, even the smallest of gifts he dishes out will suffice, he argued.
But in an unexpected turn of events, Raila has also started dancing to the same tune of attending fundraiser events and dishing out money. His critiques have termed the move as an imitation of Ruto’s hustler narrative.
Today, the former premier is expected to be in West Pokot county at Dini ya Roho Mafuta Pole Afrika to preside over church fund raising. He will be accompanied by Senate Majority leader Samuel Poghisio, Tiaty MP William Kamket and 10 other MPs.
The tour just comes a day after pro-BBI legislators, drawn from the Senate and National Assembly, held a two-day retreat at the Great Rift Valley lodge in Naivasha to draft a way for a BBI referendum.
Last month, the ODM leader in company of businessman Jimmy Wanjigi attended a fundraiser in Bondo town, Siaya County. They raised funds for the completion of a Sh160 million Bondo Anglican Church Synod Plaza.
After the launch of BBI report in Kisii, the former PM and the President met with more than 3,000 boda-boda riders in Kisii and gave them Sh3 million. They also made a case for the BBI report.
He also met Boda Boda operators in Kisumu and urged them to ply their trade as a stepping stone to other bigger things through Saccos and schemes.
A day after, the Head of State pledged to support the Boda Boda investment scheme, saying the sector is key in job creation and building of the country’s economy.
Uhuru, who is also dancing to Ruto’s tune, met the Boda Boda Safety Association of Kenya leaders at Pumwani in Nairobi and urged the Boda Boda riders to unite embrace the scheme idea to secure their future.
He told Boda Boda operators not to allow themselves to be used by politicians for their own self gains before being dumped after the elections.
The DP and his allies have, however, termed the President’s efforts to empower the riders is embracing the hustler narrative that they opposed earlier.
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