- The country is witnessing political realignments ahead of the highly anticipated 2027 General Election
- While the United Opposition is working on settling on its presidential candidate, President William Ruto finds himself in a dilemma on who will be his running mate
- Political analysts Masibo Lumala and Wilson Rotich explored options that Ruto has and what will determine his final pick for the position
President William Ruto will be seeking a second term in the 2027 General Election, but his chances of winning hugely depend on who he will pick as his running mate.
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As things stand, Ruto faces a dilemma, with several options already on the table. Eventually, he will have to settle on someone. This decision will likely make or break his re-election bid.
Intrigues surrounding Ruto’s running mate pick
The president finds himself between a rock and a hard place as far as the running mate position is concerned.
He already has a deputy president, Kithure Kindiki, who his supporters from the Mount Kenya region expect to be retained.
A section of Meru MPs has already warned against dropping Kindiki.
However, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) partnership with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is also in play. ODM recently hinted at demanding the number two position in line with the spirit of a broad-based government.
“The broad-based government has significantly altered Kenya’s political arithmetic. With the once fierce rivals now aligned, the stakes are high on who will deputise Ruto in his second-term bid,” political analyst Wislon Rotich told TUKO.co.ke.
Similar sentiments were shared by Masibo Lumala, a political analyst and lecturer at Moi University.
Lumala, however, believes two years is a very long time in politics, and things are likely to have changed by the time Ruto will be required to make that hard decision.
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“Every party will want to get the running mate position, especially with Ruto being the incumbent. It will be complicated for him, but things change. Today, Ruto is in UDA, but he might not be in 2027,” he noted.
Who is leading the race to be Ruto’s running mate in 2027?
Several names have emerged as potential picks for Ruto, from Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga to Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
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Lumala notes that the National Assembly leader of the majority, Kimani Ichungw’ah and Mining Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho are among the other individuals who might be on the list of those Ruto is considering picking as his running mate.
Kindiki also remains a strong contender.
“Kindiki is from Meru and if you dispense him, you lose that region and the central Kenya people will feel betrayed. The president will be better advised when the time comes,” he notes.
What factors will determine who Ruto picks as his running mate?
Many factors will be looked at when Ruto and his inner circle start evaluating the best candidate to deputise him.
At the top of the list is the ODM influence. Following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Ruto will be keenly looking at what happens within the Orange party.
Wanga is already touted as the perfect pick for Ruto to consolidate the Nyanza region support base, with the vote-rich Mount Kenya seemingly out of his reach. However, that pick will only be viable if the party remains united.
“If ODM is split, they won’t get the position because the president would not want to give it to someone who cannot add numbers to him. Mudavadi and Moses Wetang’ula might benefit from this, but that will depend on the Malava by-election outcome. If Malava goes to Natembeya, that changes everything,” Lumala said.
Source: UGC
The gender card is also another factor that might play to the advantage of the Homa Bay governor.
Ruto has previously hinted at picking a female running mate.
“By picking her (Gladys Wanga), Ruto would be making a double-edged move: consolidating the ODM base that Raila once commanded and projecting inclusivity through a gender card that resonates with women voters nationwide.
In a political environment where female representation remains a decisive mobilising factor, Wanga’s nomination could rebrand Ruto’s image as a reformist leader keen on gender balance and national unity,” noted analyst Rotich.
From the Mount Kenya dilemma to the push to accommodate ODM demands and Western Kenya, Ruto’s eventual choice of the deputy will not be a mere political decision; it will be a balancing act of power, perception, and pragmatism.
Which opposition lineup can beat Ruto in 2027?
Previously, TUKO.co.ke reported that political analyst Herman Manyora had shared insights on an opposition lineup he claimed could easily win over 60% of votes in 2027.
Manyora said a ticket that includes former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya would beat President Ruto.
He also explained why former CS Fred Matang’i falls behind in the pecking order for the possible United Opposition’s presidential ticket.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
