This archive report was first published on 19 November 2019.
On March 9, 2018, President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga shook hands, marking a significant step towards ending their long-standing political rivalry. However, the president's efforts to bring his deputy William Ruto and Odinga together were met with resistance.
According to sources, President Uhuru met with Raila and Ruto at a State House dinner in July 2018, where he attempted to reconcile the two leaders. However, the cease-fire between the rival camps was short-lived, and things soon returned to normal.
During the meeting, Ruto allegedly told Odinga to stay out of Jubilee party affairs, a request that President Uhuru did not take kindly to. Uhuru reminded Ruto that Odinga was not a member of the Jubilee Party and that it was unrealistic to expect him to be responsible for the party's implosion.
The meeting marked a turning point in the relationship between Ruto and Odinga, with many believing that Odinga's appointment as the AU High Representative for Infrastructure had given him too much power and influence in the government. This development had made Ruto increasingly uneasy, and he had begun to feel eclipsed by Odinga's rising stature.
Since the failed reconciliation attempt, President Uhuru has retreated from the spotlight, focusing on his role as president and avoiding succession politics. However, his silence has only fueled speculation and suspicion among Ruto's supporters, who believe that the president plans to betray his deputy.
Published on November 19, 2019.
