Questions have emerged on the political relationship between Deputy President William Ruto and Isaac Rutto after the latter's party failed to ink a deal with the Kenya Kwanza team.
Rutto's Chama Cha Mashinani was conspicuously missing as the DP formally signed pre-election coalitions with 11 political parties, largely drawn from the Mt Kenya region.
The two have had a love-hate relationship that saw them compete on opposite sides in the 2017 polls.
It remains unclear if these tensions have persisted or the DP simply downplayed the impact of CCM, a political machine nurtured in his backyard against his wishes.
Ruto has previously insisted on one national party and trashed the smaller outfits as 'village parties.'
Political commentator Bii Samoei who spoke to the Star says Rutto remains an unwelcome guest in the DP's circuit.
Samoei said there still exists a frosty relation between the two, saying for anyone supporting the DP for presidency, he ought not to have skipped Tuesday's function.
“It is also not surprising that he is the only one among a host of leaders supporting the DP who has never visited Karen for a meeting with him,” Samoei said.
When reached for a comment, however, the CCM party leader dismissed claims he was snubbed.
He said unlike other parties that signed a deal with Kenya Kwanza, CCM is supporting the DP unconditionally with no expected benefits in return if Kenya Kwanza forms the next government.
He said they would be signing a memorandum of understanding with the new outfit.
The former Bomet governor is seeking to make a comeback in the August 9 general election.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
