It is less than two weeks before the national Referendum to decide whether or not Kenya will have a new Constitution. Apart from the prospect of a “Yes” or a “No” vote, a long term implication of the outcome is whether members of the Kalenjin community are risking political isolation if they vote “No” in large numbers and lose the Referendum.
Across the country, multiple opinion polls and general trends indicate that majority of voting-blocks support the “Greens” and this tendency may progressively box members of the Kalenjin community into a precarious corner ahead of the big vote. Apart from the Church, top crusaders for the “No” vote include the renegade Minister for Higher Education, Mr. William Ruto and former dictator Daniel arap Moi who denied Kenyans the opportunity of enacting a new Constitution for more than 20 years when he was running the country like a private business empire.
At the democratic level, every Kenyan, regardless of ethnic origin, ought to have the right to vote for or against the proposed draft without ramifications because democracy also entails Freedom of choice. What is curious in the situation are the flimsy excuses the No side is presenting to oppose the Draft and their use of subterfuge to try and get their way. It is this politics of deceit that is costing them their credibility especially in the eyes of the most rational voter.
There should have been no problem for Ruto, Moi and the Church to campaign for a “No” vote were it not for the weird circumstances under which they are doing so. Before the Referendum date was set, Ruto had declared his ambition to stand for President in 2012, split up with his Party leader, Raila Odinga, tried to set up an alternative political Alliance with former KANU home boys and rebelled against ODM through which he rode to Parliament in 2007. Against this background is Rutos vision of molding himself as the new political God father in the land of the Kalenjin in Rift Valley.
To put it tacitly, Ruto believes that his No campaign will increase his profile as a “national figure” to help him push his agenda of becoming President of Kenya in 2012. This is a big gamble because if Yes wins, then Ruto’s presidential ambitions will also have to go up in smoke.
Achieving his personal ambition of commanding the three million plus Rift Valley vote is what is also fuelling Ruto’s “No” campaign and what he can hope for after the Referendum is recognition by the Kalenjin as “their leader” even if he loses to his “Yes” opponents. What the Referendum will test is whether the Kalenjin will follow Ruto to the grave yard of the No campaign as the “Yes” team opens Champaign on the morning of August 5th.
Unlike Ruto, Moi is in the “No camp” because he is afraid that the proposed draft contains ingredients that will result in him losing vast pieces of land which he grabbed in the Rift Valley during his 24 years of authoritarian rule through the self-styled Kalenjin mafia cartel he founded together with former Energy Minister Nicholas Biwott, one of the biggest thieves known in Kenya’s recent history who looted the country’s economy with impunity.
Judging from the result of the last elections, Moi no longer has any political influence in the Rift Valley. His three sons, whom he groomed using state resources during his iron grip on power, were all voted out of Parliament by the Kalenjin before Biwott, his right hand man, was also thrown out of Parliament for the first time since he became politically close to Moi. In trying to campaign for the No team, will the Kalenjin listen to Moi and follow in his outdated foot-steps when they refused to do so in 2007 because they understood that he was nothing but a tyrant who is responsible for running down Kenya during his 24 years in power in the name of the Kalenjin? Time when he murdered thousands of Kenyans under a repressive regime that left the country devastated?
“Popular Waves” Have Always Carried the Day in Kenya
Although the “No” team has little support even in areas where they have managed to confuse people with lies that the draft legalizes abortion, the Rift Valley, inhabited by the Kalenjin, has emerged as the focal point of the No support. Obviously, there are hundreds and thousands of Kalenjins who have not bought the fallacies being propagated by Ruto and his allies and they will vote “Yes”.
If the “Greens” win and the Kalenjin vote scoops the biggest share of the No vote, the conclusion will be that the Kalenjin are opposed to the delivery of a new Constitution which Kenyans were denied for more than twenty years by one of their own in the person of former autocrat Daniel arap Moi. In other words, it will be as if the Kalenjin are the ones opposing the “National interest” because of one man called Ruto whose ambitions are so misplaced that he cannot see into his political future.
If the Constitution can pass without the Kalenjin vote, the implication will be that the Kalenjin are not so important at the electoral level as long as they are alone and the vast votes in the Rift Valley do not actually matter unless other “big tribes” fuse with the Kalenjin to present a united front.
If I may rewind history, in a situation of possible political isolation on the basis that the Rift Valley delivers much of the No vote, the Kalenjin will take over from the Luos whom, despite their numerical advantage, have been suffering political marginalization “since independence” in a scheme in which Luos believe that they have always been “short-changed” politically especially by the Kikuyu community.
The “betrayal” between: Oginga Odinga and Kenyatta, Oginga Odinga and Matiba (during Saba Saba), Raila Odinga and Kibaki (during the OMU fall-out in 2002) and Raila Odinga and Kibaki again (Part 2 following rigging) are normally cited by Luos as incidences when the community was short changed and kept out of power.
Of coz, this kind of thinking ignores the fact that at the ethnic level, it is the ruling classes from different ethnic groups who collaborate to defraud the masses under the banner of ethnic politics because millions of Kenyans have nothing to do with the power equations in government once they are duped to vote for their tribal chieftains at elections.
A big baggage for the Kalenjin is that they have already produced the longest serving Dictator in the person of Moi now opposing the draft and the best the community could have done could have been to study the wind in the country, understand the weak reasons their kith are presenting to oppose the Draft and reject the No appeals.
The re-introduction of political pluralism during the Saba Saba uprising came about because of an unstoppable wave that swept across the country. This was the same wave that swept Moi and his KANU Party out of power, defeated Kibaki and his cohorts during the 2005 Referendum before sweeping the PNU thieves out of power in 2007. On the August 4th Referendum, my take is that the Rutos will be swept into the ocean of political oblivion and the question Kenyans will be left with will be the fate of the Kalenjin if members of the community vote No en masse but fail to carry the day.
From my perspective, the Kalenjin will enter into a new period of political isolation in case they are identified nationally as representatives of the No vote. This will be unfortunate because grounds for a No vote are not valid and only exist in the imagination of Ruto, Moi and his misguided Church followers.
Okoth Osewe
About the Author
I think this piece rather than the referendum result is the one isolating the Kalenjins. Sally Kosgei, Henry Kosgey are amongst the Kalenjin leadership that are campaigning for the ‘YES’ team and regardless of the result, I do not forsee the community being marginalised. If that were case, following your Luo-Kikuyu examples, these two communities would not be in the same team; 2002 elections & now for this referendum. I however, agree with you that it’s the politicians that play the ethnic card for individual interests. I also believe the Kalenjin community will surprise Ruto and Kenyans and largely vote ‘YES’!
Bwana Osewe, Interesting Luo wishful thinking accurately expressed. Raila has isolated himself from the Kalenjins.
The Kalenjins will forge new post-referendum alliances with like minded communities (Read KKK) and form the next government in 2012. RAO’s leader of official opposition awaits him!
The “dictator” Moi will have his last laugh and retire to his “vast pieces off grabbed land”.
KSB: Dominic, your post has been edited. Instead of addressing the issues, you are engaging in a personal attack. Ethnic politics is not the solution to the crisis in Kenya and although ethnic alliances are the reality in our situation, there is need for new thinking by the younger generation who ought to examine class politics as an option. Assuming that you a Kale, what did you gain out of dictator Moi’s brutal regime? Have you got a cut of his grabbed pieces of land?
Go kalenjin!!Long live!! Moi the self proclaimed professor of politics! As long as he is alive he will always be a thorn in the flesh for the haters. Nyayo!!
Moi is getting it right in the face from Kibaki. The Kalenjin through Ruto thought the Katiba was Raila’s project so began isolating themselves from him thinking the Kikuyu would be with them in the loose KKK arrangement.Now Kibaki is showing them the mid finger and sent 10,000 security personnel in case they bring nyoko nyako after the Referendum on August 4.Mara hii wamepatikana.Hopefully after the Red Camp fails, Raila will sack Ruto.Real isolation is coming for the Red group.The smart Kalenjin ministers remained in the Green Camp because the Constitution is a Government project and not a political tool.
KSB, It’s funny that you accuse me of personal attacks and censor my comments. Just because you don’t agree with my thinking doesn’t mean you gag my views. Osewe labels people dictators, thieves and land grabbers.Isn’t that personal? And to whom exactly was the so-called dictator Moi’s regime was brutal to? Any government in the world has a duty to stem subversive elements within for there to be order. Kibaki “neutralised” the Mungiki (over 6,000 youths were executed by the police)and Osewe didn’t see that. RAO ensured Luo MP’s with dissenting views never saw the inside of parliament until they toed the line(where’s Tuju? Orengo and Nyongó succumbed and were brought back to the fold) but
Osewe isn’t seeing that. Let the Kalenjins Vote as they please. It’s their right to. Now you can EDIT that as well!
Dominic: >Osewe labels people dictators, thieves and land grabbers: The dictatorship of Moi is well documented in books, newspapers and Reports including the murder of his own Minister and people (Ouko+Muge etal). Saitioti is a thief and criminal because of Goldenberg and other corruption scandals. Thieves and economic criminals exists even in the Coalition government and this is one reason why the MK Mafia messed up elections to return to power. Moi is still the biggest and most vicious land grabber known in Kenya and this is why he is afraid of the New constitution (stolen land will be confiscated). He is lucky that I am not in power because he would be sitting behind bars because of the evidence of crimes he committed against the Kenyan people. A Kenyan court has just awarded Ksh 40 million to victims of Moi’s brutality. The “subversive elements” were tortured and killed because the Moi/KANU Constitution Kenyans are trying to change allowed this under “state security” and Moi is saying No.
In politics, you try to win supporters while also trying to convert political enemies into supporters or allies. Kibaki stole RAO’s Presidency but he is now supporting RAO in the Yes camp. Ruto opposed RAO in KANU and messed up his Presidential ambitions in 2002 but still joined him in ODM to fight Kibaki who was once Vice President in KANU. The same applies to Luo MPs who are following RAO. These MPs are simply following the rules of what is called “Political opportunism” as practiced in Kenya. You have tonned down your personal attacks and become civil so there is no need of editing your post. The issues you raise in your post can be addressed. The Kalenjin can vote as they please and I did say this in my article – that Kenyans have a right to vote Yes or No so skip that.
The No vote is not a Kalenjin strategy but a Ruto Project. Majority of Kalenjins I have spoken to have told me that they are behind the Kosgeys, not Rutos who are leading them into the political wilderness. Which ethnic group has the largest number of Cabinet Ministers in ODM? You may have guessed it right. Banking on the KKK alliance is as slippery as running on glass smeared with oil collected from the spill. Uhuru and Kalonzo (the two Ks) were all with Ruto on the No camp and even attended No harambees where millions was raised but where are they today? Kenyans must move away from ethnic Alliances and develop strong Alliances based on ideas.
Stop the rotten KKK crap and address the system of government Kenya needs because if you ask me, Capitalism has ruined our country. The Constitution needs to pass so that Kenyans can wake up and address the main issues affecting the country – mass starvation, mass poverty, mass unemployment esp among the youth, corruption under capitalism, lack of housing, poor infrastructure, zero health care system and other problems. The Constitution is a piece of paper which will not put food on the table come August 5th. You appear to be thirsting for debate and this is why I am giving you this mixture.
Were Kikuyu’s isolated after 2007 for voting Kibaki? Aren’t they currently working with the luos and practically all communities (minus kalenjins) for the YES vote? 2012 elections and the referendum are two different things Bwana Osewe. And 2 Years in politics is a very loooong time. Wacha tuone how long the this marriage of convenience between Luos and Kikuyus will last! My bet is the Luos will be on their own in 2012!
Dominic, to your statement: ” Kibaki “neutralised” the Mungiki (over 6,000 youths were executed by the police)and Osewe didn’t see that”.
Osewe’s support for the condemnation of the “Mungiki executions” featured prominently at KSB, including those of human rights defenders, the late Mr. Oscar Kamau King’ara and Mr. John Paul Oulu.
http://kenyastockholm.com/2008/04/14/%e2%80%9cinvestigate-police-execution-of-mungikis%e2%80%9d-%e2%80%93-odm-scandinavia/
Dominic: The title of this piece reads: “Will the Kalenjin face political isolation if they vote no?” Osewe is being rhetorical, meaning it is a wait and see situation. In the opening paragraph, the key phrase is “risking political isolation”. Political marriages in Kenya have been there since the inception of multiparty politics. Interestingly, you are also being rhetorical by “betting” the isolation of the Luo after 2012 without substantiating.
Mtume, thanks for coming to my rescue and reminding dominic about the main issue. I noticed that he needs a lot of explanations but I didn’t have time to even throw a one liner. He believes that after Ruto’s followers have lost the Referendum, the KKK Alliance will fall into place to seize power in 2012. He does not realize the unpredictability of the so called symbols of this Alliances – Uhuru and Kalonzo who dumped Ruto for convinience to support the Yes vote. Dominic even denies the brutality of Mois dictatorship, theft of public funds by the Saitotis while he doesn’t understnd that in the current dispenstaion, the Kikuyu ruling class is not looking for the Presidency (because they have had their days) but a comfortable position in the next government. Dominic does not even appreciate the fact that the Kale ruling class has also had its good days in State House. This is why I am doubting his understanding of ethnic politics in Kenya. I hope I will be able to engage him in the forum.
Thanks Osewe. I also noticed Dominic’s ethnic slur in his #2 comment: “Bwana Osewe, Interesting Luo wishful thinking accurately expressed”. I wonder why he has to box the article into a tribal corner. I do not see your “Luo thinking” here but a piece that explores pertinent issues concerning the Referendum discourse. He is so obssessed with tribe that he spells doom for the Luo. Continue engaging him, though he seems to be in his own world of Kenyan politics.
Exactly. My strategy is to try and expand his thinking by introducing in the debate, the “class aspect” of Kenyan politics as a counter to the “ethnic dimension” that has held many Kenyans in different mental prisons. As Marley said, “Non but ourselves shall free our minds”. My fear is that Dominic may be so “ethnicized mentally” that he may currently be cooling down in the “denial chamber” and this may make meaningful dialogue difficult. We bet on a “wait and see” policy as I take him by the horns and as we measure his level of political consciousness.
Bwana Osewe et al,I may not be a career “activist” like you but one thing is clear; you cannot challenge my understanding of Kenyan ethnic politics.
You see,unlike you, I don’t “observe” Kenyan politics while safely perched at some European Ivory tower. I live it everyday. I’ll ignore the condescending tone you’ve decided to employ throughout this debate and try to answer your accusations.
First, Your article is (rhetorically) titled “Will the Kalenjin face political isolation if they vote no?” Is this the so-called “class aspect” of Kenyan politics you purport to introduce me to? If so, what “class” are the “Kalenjin” you refer to?
Secondly, the Kalenjin are very much aware that a NO-vote loss is a real possibility. But the loss could actually be a blessing in disguise; finally, Ruto (the defacto kalenjin leader) like Raila, will have a tangible voter-block to dangle at the 2012 negotiating table.
Bwana Osewe, After the referendum on Wednesday, the Kalenjin will be at the forefront with other Kenyan communities chatting the way forward for this Great country whichever way the vote goes. The self exiled Diaspora like you are welcome as well!
KSB: Dominic, Your post underlines the fact that I really need to go on with this project. Just in passing, the Kalenjin is an ethnic group, just like the Luo and others. Examples of classes which exist within the Kalenjin (just like in other ethnic groups) are as follows: The Kalenjin ruling class (the Rutos aka leaders), the Kalenjin bourgeoisie, the Kalenjin petite bourgeoisie, the Kalenjin worker (in civil service, private sector/informal sector), the Kalenjin proletariat (factory worker who walks from industrial area to Kariobangi daily), the Kalenjin student (sometimes they riot at University when things go wrong), the unemployed Kalenjin, the Kalenjin peasant and the lumpen Kalenjin (the uneducated type you hire to do your dirty political work in exchange for some petty cash).
Ethnic politics tends to benefit the ruling classes because if you go to Mathare, you will find the Kalenjin, Luo, Kikuyu etc proletariat/unemployed/lumpen suffering under the same conditions as the ruling classes make deals of the KKK type you mentioned. I hope to take you up later but just b4 I go:
Class politics benefits the specific class in struggle. For example, when teachers go on strike to demand higher wages from the ruling class, they are taking a “class action” as teachers regardless of their ethnic origins. We might be living “in comfort” ulayani but we are also studying the politics of our country to understand why things are going wrong all the time as “the people” follow their so called ethnic leaders who end up with a million salaries as the people starve to death.
I have written a book about what happened in the December 2007 election to explain why you guys were slaughtering each other as different ethnic groups in Stockholm organized joint meetings to fund raise for IDPs after the Kalenjin peasants and unemployed Kalenjin youths chased Kikuyu peasants/workers (mainly the agricultural proletariat) from Rift valley after the Kikuyu ruling class stole elections and prevented the Luo/Kalenjin/Luhya ruling classes from taking over power (I hope you catch the drift).
In my book (which was published in December 2008 and made unavailable in Kenya by the ruling class) my perspective is that a new Constitution will be delivered (and why) so we wait for Wednesday. You seem not to understand what “Class politics” means and I do sympathize with your limitations. It’s good that you are online because from our “comfort” here ulayani, we will get you to understand it step by step so that you guys can stop believing in ethnic leaders and ask yourselves why the producers of the country’s wealth (the working class and the peasantry) have no say in the running of society.
By the way, you seem to be a Kalenjin but in which “class” do you belong because you must belong to one of the classes mentioned? If you can identify your class, this post shall have succeeded in one thing – helping you to identify your class. If you cannot place yourself, tell me what you do for a living and I will tell you where you belong. This is part of political education we study from our comfort zone here in Stockholm to rescue our country.
Hello Dominic,
As much as l do not share most of Bwana Osewes views,one very important fact is that,he has curved a niche. I will not waste time to try and educate you on the politcal mess that has been ,and continues to be propagated by Moi.Infact,he should be deprived of all the trappings of an ex.president Since he is still active in politics.Trying to potray us in Stockholm as having misguided political beliefs ,makes me sympathize with your kind.Come to Europe and witness effective social engineering,thats if you even know the term.Stop opening yourself to ignorant accusations of which you cannot back up.If you live in that political chaos daily ,l expct better ,cause you read like someone knowledgeable.Attempting to paint us in the Diaspora as not having lived the reality is childish.We have been and still will be Kenyans.Crying wolf to them patriots who work tirelessly to change the image of Kenya abroad will not wash.Come over and be educated.Anthony Odera
Dominic: There is nothing new you are telling KSB readers who engage in various debates concerning Kenyan politics regularly.
That the Kalenjin bloc might lose at the Referendum is a given, just as Ruto may have a section of the Kalenjin MPs to bargain with after the 2012 elections. Good thing is he is not controlling the whole of Rift Valley, so will have to reckon with the part not following his divisive politics.
MP Linah Jebii, a staunch follower of Ruto, was recently quoted claiming that the new Constitution will permit abortion to wipe out Kenyans, as per the USA plan. The woman is a university graduate who played sensible politics during President Kibaki’s first Government. She has recently been campaigning in the No Camp peddling stupid rumors. Is she the type Ruto will bargain with in the post-2012 era?
Unsafe abortions are a reality in Kenya given the current restrictive legislation, so safe methods are required to save the lives of potential mothers. Linah is a diasppointment and the Marakwet women need a better role model after 2012.
No wonder Mama Ngilu took her time yesterday to educate a group in Ukambani using translators to tell them that the Draft Constitution does not accept abortion unless the woman is in danger.
Honestly, Ruto and group could have done better by citing those so-called contentious issues, then educating Kenyans. Look at the likes of the once respected Pastor Mark Kariuki wasting his time talking rubbish, just because pesa zilimwagwa from USA by anti-abortionists, to support the opposing Christians.
You need to be reminded that the Kalenjin have been at the forefront of Kenyan politics since Dictator Moi’s time until now, by way of Cabinet posts and key roles in their party of choice (ODM) since 2007.
You don’t have to be in Kenya to “observe” her politics or activities among the citizens. Professor Makau Mutua and many others in the Diaspora post online opinions frequently in the Kenyan media. There are also many virtual spaces engaging the Kenyan Diaspora on a level that you cannot, judging by your comments at KSB.
You have been smoked out for your ethnic leaning which is your focal point. You have realized that you are rhetorical without adding anything that we don’t know. For example, at comment number 2 above, you wrote: “The “dictator” Moi will have his last laugh and retire to his “vast pieces off grabbed land”. After the recent swipes at Moi by key players in the Green camp (read Kibaki, RAO, Kalonzo and Orengo), he withdrew from countering with his denials of past atrocities during his heavy-handed 24 years of terror as Dictator. Hopefully, he shall live to witness the rebirth of Kenya which he tore apart with his uneducated, parochial Tugen mind.
Ruto and his ilk are free to vote against the draft Consitution, but must also be prepared for the SACK since they would impede its implementation. Kibaki and Raila should expediate this as soon as possible for the country to move on.
Sorry Bwana Osewe, but I’ve got to end this. It’s evident we’re not getting anywhere; I find your academic approach to Kenyan politics quite amusing to say the least.
Congratulations on your new Book it’s a pity I can’t get hold of it here since the “tyrant” (LOL!) Mwai Kibaki thinks it’s unfit for mwananchi consumption. But maybe after I vote for the new katiba tomorrow things will look up for you and all wazalendo abroad.
It’s been a nice discussion though I must concede defeat. You and your loyal troops (Benali, Mtume & Ean Wuod Luo) made Mincemeat of me; I’ll come better prepared next time.
Keep up the good job. And yes, I’m proudly Kalenjin but a Kenyan first.
Pray for our country as we usher in a NEW DAWN tomorrow!
Shukran
KSB: Dominic, I did this because you thought that “Kalenjin is a class” so I thought you needed some political education. Our people are being misled because of sheer ignorance. There is nothing academic in pointing out that workers, students, the unemployed, lumpens etc belong to different classes. In any case, I could smell some intellectualism in your in-put so I thought you could deal with it. Kenyans in Diaspora is a constituency and dismissing them because they are “living in comfort” is prestine. You gave up so easily but I will respect your verdict. I am sorry that you have to go but see you next time. Have a nice day and feel free to return once again. I admire your courage to accept defeat. It shows you had good intentions but things didn’t simply work out.
Dominic, am glad you surrendered as a true warrior to live and fight another day. The world is watching and even a Swedish newspaper (Svenska Dagbladet) posted an article on Kenya’s referendum yesterday. You probably don’t read Swedish but here is a link you can translate: http://www.svd.se/nyheter/utrikes/kenya-mot-ljusare-tider_5073665.svd
Benali, you took the words right of my mouth “live to fight another day”. Here at home we no the world is watching people are calm – no tensions whatsoever. I’m positive as Kenyans we learned a great deal from the 07/08 madness. We’re not going back that route again I trust the vote tomorrow will be largely peaceful. So msiwe na wasiwasi!
Dominic,
My supposition is this,you have a very credible opinion,however you are in my opnion,spineless.Stand for your beliefs ,whether right or wrong.Its dissappointing when you take the mantle of defending a perticular cause ,then end up capitulatng when it is just beginning to get a foothold ámongst those you have labelled”Osewes loyal troops”Get real and be your own man instead of bundling all others with identities they have never seen or wanted seek.Kalenjins ,if they are a community should have noticed the rift Moi as President ,created between ,”Kalenjins”and the “Tugen”This is just such a simple abstractIt can be a whole dessertion on petty rulers who are tribal not national.So my brief to you, is to recaliberate your views on the situation on the ground.That not withstanding l do respect your sense of respect. For records sake ,am not Jaduong Osewes brigade in any form or fashion.I respectOswewe.Anthony Odera
Tonny, nice intervention. With due respect, I think Dominic had capitulated by throwing in the towel and trying to coax him into re-engaging after he admitted lack of cognizance of the fundamental issue of dispute could be construed to mean that you are yourself being unduly antagonistic. Spare him turgid presuppositions because he has settled for living now to fight another day, a strategy which I find acceptable.
For those who do not understand the Genesis of the ongoing quest for a new Constitution, the clips below explain a lot, under the title, “The Making of a Constitution”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-UPg0pR5Jo&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHrbiBB0syM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB3zgkeUiwg&feature=related
Well, speaking well after the vote… Yes won, nyanza had the greatest turnout.. Rift valley overwhelmingly voted no(the only red province) eastern almost split its vote.. We finally have a new constitution yey! Suffice it to say, kenyans voted on tribal lines. Raila and Ruto are the biggest gainers in the whole scenario.. Those two will decide who wins the presidency, along with central kenya. My observation of RV(kalez) Is that many of them have more substancial land thus their considerations might have been different. Am not the isolation position cuz 2012 wil be about other things. NB why do kenyans typically vouch for their own ethnic group whilst passing judgement on others? Before u answer, look at urself and the entire thread.. Beyond the constitution, we need to adres ethnicity. Fyi, it beats me how this thread is not ethnic when the tittle itself mentions an ethnic group!
Uhuru allies yesterday indicated there was little chance of the much hyped Kikuyu-Kamba-Kalenjin alliance with Kalonzo and Ruto fielding one candidate for 2012 as both the VP and Ruto have indicated they also want to run for President.
Some of Uhuru’s advisers feel that many Kikuyus would find it hard to vote for Ruto as his running mate because of the 2008 post-election violence in which many Kikuyus especially in the Rift Valley were victimised.
If the Raila-Uhuru plan fails to materialise, Uhuru will go for the presidency on his own. the advisers said. His likely running mate would then be youthful Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa.
“Initially the thinking was that Ruto could make a good running mate, but it is becoming clear that he also wants to vie for Presidency. The same applies to the Vice President,” said Subukia MP Nelson Gaichuhie.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201008180922.html