The tour of Julius Malema in Kenya has thrust him into the division that has characterised the local politics.
Malema, who is the president of South Africa's leftist Economic Freedom Fighters party, has been taking on President William Ruto over the latter's position on pan-Africanism and the reneging of his presidential campaign promises.
Addressing the members of the Kenya Young Parliamentarian Association in Nairobi on Friday, November 10, Malema observed that his truths about Ruto's leadership so far and how he (Ruto) conducts himself in the international arena has made him an enemy of the president's loyalists.
The vocal politician faulted Ruto for not walking his talking as regards true Africanism.
He drew an instance from the president's stance on the Palestine-Israel conflict.
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While likening the suffering endured by Palestinians to that in Africa, Malema wondered why Ruto chose to stand with Israel despite the attacks on civilians.
According to him, Ruto was conflicting with himself as regards what Pan-Africanism stands for.
"The ones (supporters) of Ruto are not happy with me. Because I asked why would you claim to be a Pan-Africanist because Pan-Africanism is necessitated by the fact that we are an oppressed and dejected nation, as Africans. That everyone rejected should find sympathy in us; Palestinians have been isolated and killed in their own land, just like Mau Mau here in Kenya, then Ruto says he is with Israel, how do you say that?" posed Malema.
Even with having been faulted by Ruto's supporters, Malema said he would delve into the Kenyan politics citing Nairobi as one of his many homes.
"This is my home and the politics here are mine, the same way the politics of South Africa are yours. Any destabilization in any corner of Africa affects us," he said.
The outspoken South African parliamentarian landed in Kenya on November 9 to grace the inauguration of the Pan-African Institute at Makueni County's Lukenya University.
