How BBI turned tables on Uhuru succession plan

 

When President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga shook hands on the steps of Harambee House on March 9, 2018, the gesture ushered an uncertain future for Deputy President William Ruto and a whole different 2022 succession matrix for the Head of State.

While he had considered himself the shoo-in successor of President Kenyatta, Dr Ruto’s place as the Jubilee leader’s heir-apparent has been chipped at with every turn of the Handshake journey.

Two years later, the DP’s 2022 election strategy appears not to have factored in his boss’ backing, and is mainly centred around competing against Mr Odinga.

Political analysts argue BBI has given President Kenyatta the best chance to re-engineer his succession in 2022.

“The BBI report and the expected legislation will ensure Uhuru gets his succession plans as per design. He’s most likely going to have his way.

It also means that Ruto is left in a very awkward position as the report is not as unpalatable as Tangatanga had hoped or wished for.

For Uhuru and Raila, the expanded executive will help carry most of the country by working with key regional kingpins,” political commentator Herman Manyora said