What started as a battle for Uhuru’s succession has found a new life in Ruto’s administration with the former President being accused of orchestrating a plot to destabilise his successor’s government.
The beef reached a peak last week when the retired President dared the Ruto’s administration to go for him and stop targeting his family.
This followed a shocking withdrawal of Mama Ngina's security and a late evening raid on Jomo Kenyatta – Uhuru’s first born son – by police officers in search of illegal guns.
The state alleged some of the firearms owned by the former First Family could have been used for “illegal activities”.
“The fact that I am silent does not mean that I am scared. Come for me. What does my mother have to do with anything? What have my children got to do with anything?” a furious Uhuru said.
Analysts are now warning that the cold war between the two leaders could come with a heavy price for the two.
Political analyst, Martin Andati, argues that Ruto could soon find himself in the bad books of some world powers, especially the Britons on the manner he handles his predecessor.
“Ruto has a slight edge for the time being because he has the instruments of power, but you know that is temporary because you know that Kenyatta emperor has a strong relationship with the Britons. They are the protectors of British here, the moment you go for him those interests feel threatened and you know the British emperor you cannot fight them,” Andati said.
“By the time Ruto will realise those dynamics come into play it will become very difficult for him, it is not as easy as he is imagining.”
The analyst further explain the fight might come later to complicate Ruto’s re-election matrix as voters, especially from Uhuru’s vote-rich backyard, may revolt given the type of treatment given to their son.
Ruto is banking on Uhuru's backyard to secure his re-election bid.
Unlike the two former heads of state, Daniel Moi and Mwai Kibaki, who took a back stage in the country’s politics upon their retirement, Uhuru is giving an impression of not yielding the floor any time soon.
Painting a picture of being disillusioned and wounded but not defeated, Uhuru, who is the Azimio Council chairman, has since last polls been sending mixed signals over Ruto’s presidency.
Uhuru rallied behind Raila in the run up to the August 9 general election, even deploying state resources to ensure he embarrasses Ruto.
With their political differences appearing to deepen, it is now evident that the former President will hang on, assuming the role and position in the Azimio camp, as he sustains the onslaught against the current head of state.
“It will definitely affect his re-election but there is a possibility that they can be forced into some kind of compromise,” Andati said.
“Kenyatta’s have a lot of people whom they have planted all over the place, you cannot wish that away.”
While speaking during at the Karen residence of his son after the police raid, Uhuru said he will use his last breath to defend his Jubilee from state-sponsored takeover signalling a man who is not ready to hang his political boots yet.
Since the infamous raid, Ruto has avoided any exchanges with his ‘boss’ even in the face of direct accusation that he has a hand in the ongoing coup at the former ruling party.
Political analyst, Javas Bigambo, however, says this will be of little consequence for him considering he is “just another retired politician” since Ruto heads government and wields more political clout.
He says should Uhuru choose to continue fighting Ruto, he is going to be the loser as his vast family business interest might get the pinch of the unfavourable state policies
“It is a leadership anticlimax if at all both want to go for each other’s jugular, it is a matter of lack of essential decency for Uhuru Kenyatta to chose to fight his successor merely for political reasons that they are in different political camps,” the governance expert told the Star.
“For Uhuru we know he has vast business empire and maybe the strong position he has taken against Ruto administration could mean he is going to suffer the disadvantage of his empire being sustained or advanced because of the policies against his businesses.
“The ex-President it seems he is watering the tree of vengeance if it all he keeps on showing hatred to his successor because of their different camps in the run up to the last year’s elections.”
Since taking over power, Ruto has been unleashing a barrage of attack which are not only meant to ground his former boss, but guarantee him the much needed space to smoothly run the government.
Uhuru's businesses have also been under attack as was witnessed during last March demonstrations, where Northlands farm was invaded by rowdy youths, an attack the opposition believe had all the fingerprints of state operatives.
The development comes on the background of an ongoing court case where Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah is challenging the tax waiver given to the NIC and CBA banks merger.
CBA is associated with the Kenyatta family.
Last week, courts ordered Lands Cabinet Secretary Zacharia Njeru to immediately furnish Omtatah with information on how the ministry recommended a tax waiver on the NIC and CBA merger.
According Bigambo, as much as the two may pay individual price of the bad blood, Kenyans will be the biggest losers.
“In the end it is not either of them to lose greatly but Kenyans to lose greatly for failure to have a great example in great rear position of leadership of this two because they have occupied positions that very few Kenyans will be lucky enough to have the fortune of history to occupy,” Bigambo said.
“The country should not suffer because of political wars merely by the capitalist chances of individuals who are the elites.”
Law Society of Kenya president Eric Theuri too cautioned that the leaders’ actions risk tearing the country apart.
“The actions we are seeing are sending bad signals and can tear the country apart,” he said.
NCIC commissioner Danvas Makori termed the leaders’ wars a worrying sign that threatens the peace and stability of the nation.
“We have triggered a tripartite talk, but we should know that this country is bigger than a personality cult. We need to anchor our country around the constitution and institutions,” he said.
