Over the recent weeks, Kenya's political sphere has been dominated by talks of possible Deputy President William Ruto and Raila Odinga alliance ahead of the 2022 general elections.
A meeting between DP Ruto and ODM Deputy Party Leader Wycliffe Oparanya sent mixed signals to various political factions in the country, adding fuel to rumours of the alleged coalition.
Mathira Member of Parliament and a close confidant of the DP, Rigathi Gachagua revealed that the meeting was meant to lure the Kakamega governor into the "Hustler Nation" camp.
File image of Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua. |Photo| Courtesy|
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The legislator claimed that Oparanya went into the meeting with the DP with his own agenda, which is supporting a winning team.
He added that there would be a second meeting between the governor and the DP.
"Oparanya has realised that Kakamega has gravitated to wards the DP and he is pursuing his own political interest. We are meeting him again soon for further discussions," Gachagua stated.
DP Ruto's allies are, however, skeptical of the alliance, alleging that it may cost the DP support from Mount Kenya which he currently enjoys.
Gachagua stated that if the former Prime Minister was interested in an alliance, it will only be to vote for Ruto.
"We all know there is no way Raila fits into our coalition unless he joins Hustler Nation and votes for Ruto. Take it from me that the DP is not interested in a coalition with Odinga," Gachagua remarked.
Several other DP allies have argued that the alliance would not sit well with the DP's supporters from Mount Kenya, though admitting it would be a massive boost.
Murang'a Senator Irungu Kang'ata argued that the people of Mt Kenya have asked their leaders to align themselves with DP Ruto and therefore an alliance would be a step in the reverse.
"In my view, this is something we need to dig deeper and understand how our people might react to it. We are with the DP because our people have told us to align ourselves with him. Can the change if he aligns with Raila? I can't tell," Kang'ata stated.
"I know a Ruto-Raila alliance would be a surebet to State House, it will be unstoppable. If they add a Kikuyu into it, the merrier. As for Kikuyu's rallying behind it, in my view Kikuyu leaders have sacrificed a lot and invested in Ruto," he added.
File image of Deputy President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga. |Photo| Courtesy|
