NAKHURENYA: Will Ruto, Raila convergence revive nationalism?

For the longest time, it has become a common feature to look at President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as leaders who will always travel on parallel pathways.

There have been very few moments of convergence between the two leaders for close to 18 years. The last time they appeared to closely work together was in 2005 in a moment of constitutional reforms as the Orange Democratic Movement under the 'No’ and 'Yes’ referendum for the Wako draft constitution.

The ‘No’ campaign brigade led by Raila and Ruto stuck together in the 2007 general election. Since then, it has been rare for the two to enjoy a cordial working relationship with minimal occasions of their views converging.

This picture appears to have taken a major shift with the convergence of the duo on a continental quest for the African Union Commission chairmanship where Raila has entered the ring as a contender. Nation-building is not an event, it is a process that takes time and real effort to not only plant but also water continuously.

The scramble for AUC leadership has offered Kenyans an opportunity to keenly watch the body language of Ruto and Raila. Photos of the duo have been doing the rounds on social media and mainstream media after their strategic visit to the Ugandan president sparked a national debate on the newfound cordial relationship between the two archrivals in the 2022 presidential election that saw Ruto win the presidency against Raila.

A few questions still linger, did the handshake come earlier than expected? True nationalism requires the right signals from our top leaders and President Ruto appears to be leading the way in relentless efforts to ensure Raila garners his full support and the support of East Africa’s presidents ahead of the scheduled continental elections.

With reports from Tanzania indicating that former president Jakaya Kikwete is not in the race, this leaves Raila as the regional frontrunner who needs our full support.

The history of Kenya was built around true nationalism and patriotism. Our history records how the freedom fighters for the present independent Kenya genuinely supported each other as brothers and sisters in the struggle to emancipate the country from British control.

The rebirth of Kenya was through true nationalism that appears to have nose-dived in post-independent Kenya. Despite efforts to revive a sense of belonging to building one united country, these have always witnessed failure in the face of limited commitment from the top leaders with sharp divisions emanating from unequal distribution of the national cake.

The decision by Ruto to support Raila has warmed the hearts of Kenyans within and outside the political space. We are constrained not to look at Ruto’s support for Raila from the lens of his political interests in the next election.

However, whichever way you look at it, the success of Raila as AUC chairperson will limit his involvement in the local political space, leaving Ruto as a towering figure in the next election. Undoubtedly, Raila's senior age is likely to make him consider hanging up his political boots in the next presidential election.

As citizens of Kenya, it should be our sincere prayer that Raila succeeds in leading the African Union Commission. His background as a democrat and a pan-Africanist should propel him to the leadership.  

The big question is what next for opposition figures if Raila wins the continental seat? A win for Raila will greatly alter the local political landscape with the scramble to succeed Agwambo gaining traction openly.

Raila’s backyard of Nyanza, Nairobi, Mombasa and other key pockets in the country will most likely experience fierce competition on who should fit in the shoes of ‘Baba'. The same quest will be witnessed among the remaining visible opposition figures, with Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua, Eugene Wamalwa and Hassan Joho angling for a piece of the Raila influence.

All said and done, it is becoming apparent that Raila Ogiga is staring at an exit from local politics. It is a matter of when and how and for this reason, getting at the AUC job provides the perfect landing for him to play an advisory role at the continental level.

It is our sincere hope that as a nation, we invest in nurturing true nationalism and patriotism witnessed at the height of the struggle for independence by our forefathers. 

Lawyer and policy consultant