The Sawi natives of Papa New Guinea were among some of the most brutal and aggressive tribal communities in the 20th century, living in a Stone Age culture of cannibalism and headhunting well into the 1960s.
The Sawi tribe held an age-old belief of ‘tuwi asonai makaerin’. The phrase expressed in only three words meant, “We have been fattening you with friendship for the slaughter!”. In this practice, warriors persuade a man to become their friend, with the intention of killing and eating him later.
In our current political setting, one can relate this statement to what has happened since 2013. One could say that President Uhuru Kenyatta has been using this practice on both Deputy President and ODM leader Raila Odinga at different instances.
During President Mwai Kibaki’s funeral, photos circulated of President Uhuru Kenyatta openly snubbing Deputy President William Ruto when they met, despite him greeting other leaders.
A few days later, the President went on an all-out attack on the DP, accusing him of absconding duty and putting his personal interests above those of the nation. Ruto responded on Twitter claiming that the President took away his duties and allocated them to other people who have let Uhuru down.
This confrontation has been there for some time now. During a Kenya Kwanza rally in Thika recently, Ruto accused Uhuru of being ungrateful, even after the DP and others stood with him during the ICC case and the 2013 and 2017 elections.
During Sagana III, Uhuru also attacked Ruto claiming that the money he and his allies are donating to churches was stolen from the public. Uhuru also claimed that the DP was moving around the country, and especially Mt Kenya, saying his government had not performed.
The President is a master political chess player and he plays multiple moves in advance. He may be in on a plan with Ruto, and it’s possible that Ruto may not even know that Uhuru is working with him, but all is not what it seems.
For many political commentators, it does not make sense for Uhuru to draw sympathy votes for Ruto. His public utterances give credence to claims by Ruto’s allies that Uhuru did actually push his DP out of the way.
His public support of Raila, even after saying the ODM leader was not fit to be president at two elections, also raises more questions than answers. Does he truly believe that Raila is the best bet for the country or has he been fattening him with friendship for slaughter in August?
Could Uhuru have fattened Ruto in 2013 and after getting the presidency in 2017 decided to sacrifice him? Did Uhuru then decide to fatten Raila with the handshake in 2018 in readiness for sacrificing him in August for Ruto’s benefit?
Or has Uhuru decided that both Ruto and Raila do not deserve to lead the country, individually, and is forcing the country to a split election that will force them to have a handshake after August and work together?
It is curious that Uhuru hasn’t started campaigning for Raila on the ground. Even if he eventually does, an early campaign would have been more effective than a late one.
It has also not made sense that Uhuru, knowing that Kenyans have a problem with how the Jubilee government has performed, is shifting the burden of failure to Raila and seemingly making Kenyans forget that Ruto has been part of this government.
Don’t get me wrong, in his heart, Uhuru must believe that a Raila presidency is what’s best for the nation. But, it’s possible that he has placed a bet on both horses. At least, I would if I was him.
What I am sure about is that Uhuru will not risk the peace of the nation, and an all-out war with Ruto will risk our peace during the election and after.
Uhuru must play the role of seeming to fully support Raila, and seem to be at war with Ruto. In the end, Uhuru will ensure that Kenya wins irrespective of whom between Ruto or Raila wins the election.
Political and communications consultant. @MachelWaikenda
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