Photo: William Ruto with Daniel Arap Moi (Nairobi News).
Literally, there are two days in Kenya; A bad day and a good day. February 4, 2020 was but a bad day. Kenya's cherished icon, patriarch, philosopher and legend was no more. As Kenyans came to terms with Daniel Arap Moi's death, a chain of memories of his 24-year rule flowed.
Of the memorable things Moi is remembered of is his punctuality, Nyayo milk, fimbo ya Nyayo. Music enthusiasm, his love of religion among other richness both in character and deeds.
Biologically, the professor of Kenyan Politics sired eight children but politically, he fostered, moulded and nurtured a number of the present day heavyweights among them; President Uhuru Kenyatta, DP William Ruto and ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi.
Today marked a year since Moi went to rest with his forefathers. His family held a commemoration ceremony to reminiscize the days with Mzee. A number of high profile politicians who happens to be his political sons were in attendance but one name was missing in the list, William Ruto's.
How could it be that Moi's second political son gave his father's anniversary a wide berth? Was he busy? can a son fail to attend his father's ceremony simply because he is entangled? Let it be remembered that Ruto is courtesy of Nyayo. History has persistently taken us back to earlier 90's when the two met through a church activity. Impressed with Samoei's aptness, Moi hauled him out of blues and placingly thrusted him in power, fame and money.
Samoei was the mind behind the formation of YK'92 a lobby group that was agitating for Moi's re-election. In 1997, the man from Sugoi broke his coon becoming Eldoret North MP. Nyayo did appoint him as Assistant Minister and Minister respectively.
Whereas there is no justifiable reason as to why Ruto failed to attend the ceremony, there are a number of understandable reasons. Naturally, William and Moi's biological son; Gideon Moi are not the greatest friends and this has to do with the stolen birthright.
Age-wise, Gideon is Ruto's senior and this means; he is the one bound by the traditions to inherit Mzee's leadership mantle. Now there is a wide difference between the positivism (what it is) and normativism (what should be). what it is; William is the defacto kingpin of Rift Valley and what should be is; that is Gideon's slot.
To avoid ugly scenes and humiliations, it was pragmatic to miss the ceremony and save his face. Its alleged that when Mzee was alive, Gideon thwarted Ruto's every want to see Nyayo. One thing is now evident; the possibility of Gideon and Ruto burying hatchets anytime soon lies a fraction above the zero.
Those close to William have described him as a ruthless and overly an ambitious a leader, wherever he sets a target, nothing and nobody can stop him. At one time, Ruto was at loggerheads with his godfather. Its said that Nyayo was not pleased with Ruto's political antics. In 2006 when Ruto announced that he will throw his hat in 2007 presidential race, Nyayo was among those who condemned him.
Until his death, the relationship between Daniel and William was tense. Chances perhaps are; Mzee died a sad man with much displeasure of what Ruto had turned out to be. Among my kinsmen, if you were in bad terms with the deceased, you are abhorred from taking part in one's burial and anniversary ceremonies, it could be the case here, who knows?
