Political experts explain Ruto role in Uhuru, Mudavadi meeting after the two leaders met twice in Burudi and Nigeria
Political experts explain Ruto role in Uhuru, Mudavadi meeting after the two leaders met twice in Burudi and Nigeria.
Kenyans’ reactions to a private meeting between former president Uhuru Kenyatta and prime minister’s secretary Musalia Mudavadi in Abuja, Nigeria, were divided, with some believing it was pre-planned.
Some claim that President William Ruto placed the Prime CS in that position on purpose to court Uhuru.
However, speaking to a local media, political analysts Barack Muluka, Herman Manyora and governance expert Ben Mulwa clarified Ruto’s role in the meeting.
Manyora asserts that the encounter was purely coincidental and that because the former leader enjoys the respect of the community, Ruto would not disrespect him by sending Mudavadi.
He emphasized that Ruto, as the Head of State, would approach Uhuru directly if needed be and that both leaders met while in official roles.
“Uhuru is a big and important man, Ruto cannot use Mudavadi to approach him because that would be belittling him. If the president wanted to approach Uhuru for any reason he would reach him directly and he will not say no,” he stated.
His sentiments were echoed by Mulwa who noted that both leaders had been friends for a very long time and had also worked together in government.
According to Mulwa, it was only natural for them to greet one another and chat a little when they met in Nigeria despite knowing full well that they were on different political sides.
“When you look at the chemistry between Uhuru and Mudavadi, they have been friends for many years and they essentially grew up together and have worked together in government and they have remained friends.
“You cannot single out a time when there has been bad blood between the two so there is no politics in it they are just catching up as old friends,” he explained.
However, Mulwa stated that the concerns of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua not being sent to such forums were valid adding that he had continuously received ridicule locally, something that did not sit well with his boss.
“The concern about not sending Gachagua is valid because the deputy president has come off as a master of embarrassment and the president is aware. He would not want to expose Gachagua beyond the ridicule that he has continued to receive locally,” he noted.
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On the other hand, Dr Muluka denied such claims noting that the deputy president was busy with other official duties and the president would have sent him otherwise.
“Ruto sends Gachagua to other duties and assignments and he cannot be in two or three places at the same time otherwise he would have sent him. He is carrying out other tasks in the government,” he explained.
The two leaders met in Nigeria on May 30, when they attended the inauguration of Bola Tinubu as the 16th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
On May 6, the two leaders also met in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for the 11th Summit of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the Peace, Security and Cooperation framework.
“Uhuru Kenyatta will make peace with William Ruto because he is a peacemaker. He met Mudavadi in Burundi and Nigeria. This is not a coincidence. Ruto needs Uhuru. Uhuru needs Ruto. And this is good for country,” stated Political Scientist Mutahi Ngunyi.
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