This archive report was first published on 25 September 2019.
January 15, 2018, marked a significant moment in Kenyan politics, as the Jubilee alliance between Kikuyu and Kalenjin communities was forged under duress. The alliance, spearheaded by Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto, was a response to their facing criminal charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC). With the ICC no longer a threat, the alliance's foundation is now being tested.
The recent anti-hawker crackdown in Eldoret, led by Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandago, has been perceived as an ethnic cleansing targeting the Kikuyu community. This move is seen as a warning to the Mount Kenya Mafia, signaling a potential betrayal of Ruto by the Kikuyu community. The incident follows the death of one of Ruto's motorcade chasers in an 'accident,' which some believe was a state message to Ruto.
As tensions rise, it is clear that Ruto has become a burden to the Mount Kenya Mafia. The Kikuyu community's actions will determine the fate of their people, with the Kalenjin community being their only allies. The succession of Kenyatta is slowly becoming a ticking time bomb, threatening to ignite a fierce rivalry between the two communities.
January 15, 2018, was a pivotal moment in Kenyan politics, marking the beginning of a fragile alliance between Kikuyu and Kalenjin communities. The alliance's future remains uncertain, with the recent events in Eldoret serving as a warning sign.
