Could Ruto have been testing his popularity with RED campaign?

Playing the referendums RED card in the next general elections

Updated: Thursday, 25 August, 2011

Story by: MEEME JOSHUA

The signs of Ruto's sacking have been hovering for a long time. Indeed the sacking will endear him to more Kenyans who have rightly forgotten he headed the RED card centre. Now the PM Raila Odinga will licking his wounds in Rift Valley in what has been orchestrated to mean a purge on the area leaders.

Region's leaders have been made to believe that Raila originated the woes Ruto faces with ICC cases. In the event that charges against the sextet are confirmed at the Hague, Ruto will intensify his blames on Raila. With the Constitution being silent on suitability of people appearing before a court like the international criminal court, Ruto's name will definitely appear on the ballot.

The question that we seek to answer is, will Ruto support another person? Let take a walk down memory lane. Delegates conference in Kasarani, that anointed Raila as ODm presidential candidate, Ruto had calculated well that he would clench the nomination. However he was prevailed upon when he was promised the premier's post. The fallout in ODM inner circle was attributable to that day promises and failure to honour them.

His recent statements that he has been supporting others during the 8th anniversary after the death of Kijana Wamalwa speaks volumes. In a coded message he seems to tell other contenders to support him for the stab on the presidency. He tested himself against Raila during the refendum for the New Constitution. Having garnered two million, Ruto feels that is a large block of votes to front for others to support him. This is block that he want others to consider in support for his bid.

It should not be forgotten that all the rest except Cyrus Jirongo were either watermelons or Greens. If Ruto convinces other to support him, Kikuyus will not feel rightly represented in the government based on history. Why are the members of the community apprehensive of Ruto's rise to power? When Moi became the President he brought all prominent Kikuyus to their knees. The community has not forgotten  but are holding a grudge against their suspect friends.

During the 2007 post election chaos, it was the two communities that suffered the highest damages. The issue of IDPs in the area and around the country has not been resolved. This is to mean that the unity calls could be just a veneer that covers the hidden agenda of their leaders.

Among the Ruto supporters, his sacking depicts Raila as being intolerant to diverse views. But that was dilemma that Raila faced; damned if he never sacked the rebles, damned if sacked them. If opted for the latter.