By Alberto Leny

With slightly over six months to go before the General Election, two critical events last week marked the defining moment for aspirants in the presidential race.

First, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) formally gazetted the elections date, plus the compulsory constitutional timelines to guide the electoral process.

Then the Supreme Court concluded hearing submissions on the proposal to change the Constitution and retreated to decide the fate of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI). Judgement will soon be delivered on notice since the BBI matter is already exhausted in court.

BBI is at the centre of the heated campaigns that started long before IEBC’s official declaration and the protracted court battle defining the stakes in this year’s historic election.

A product of the Handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga, BBI embraces key issues defining the 2022 election – ethnicity, the economy and electoral justice.

Raila, Deputy President (DP) William Ruto, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Kanu’s Gideon Moi and Musalia Mudavadi (ANC) have officially declared their candidature.

Raila and Ruto hit the campaign trail ages ago with their well-oiled political machinery.

They have been trading barbs at each other revolving around the three aforementioned issues at raucous rallies across the country.

Raila may have stolen the thunder from Ruto on the ethnicity and national unity gauge, with his Azimio La Umoja rallying call winning acceptance across the country, except in counties loyal to the DP; most in the Rift Valley.

A cleverly woven populist “bottom-up, hustler” narrative has captured disgruntled politicians, masses of unemployed youth and grassroots supporters. Whether this populism will translate into votes remains to be seen.

Mudavadi’s dalliance with Ruto has rocked the One Kenya Alliance (OKA), unravelling a new political outfit that faces a major credibility test, going by Mudavadi’s stinging speech touching on debt and corruption at his launch attended by the DP and scores of his allies.

Ruto’s brazen public onslaught against Uhuru and formidable rival Raila may boomerang and expose his soft underbelly.

With the President effectively backing his Handshake partner to the chagrin of his estranged deputy, Ruto is increasingly behaving like a jilted lover.

After divorce from Jubilee Party to champion UDA, the Executive’s separation only complicated by constitutional provisions, he is DP only by name, stripped of official duties, he and loyalists quarantined from many State and functions.

Hence the bitterness and propaganda projectiles at the rankled top leadership while Raila apparently enjoys the trappings of power that eluded him before the Jubilee-marriage hit the rocks.

Yet the DP is quick to claim credit for achievements of the Jubilee he has departed from and besmirches while unwilling to accept its failures and unfulfilled promises made under his watch.

Once Azimio passes the Senate test, Raila could run away with Uhuru’s legacy and the Big 4 agenda that Ruto jealously covets.

Begrudging, arrogant attitudes towards powerful former associates-cum-rivals pose inherent dangers, especially when publicly opposing and ridiculing their favourite initiatives with snide remarks such as “si reggae tulisimamisha?” (did we not stop reggae?). Don’t forget reggae is the “hustler’s” most popular tune.

Ahead of the BBI judgement, the initiative and the tune’s lead dancer Raila says reggae is only at half-time.

Legendary reggae pioneer Bob Marley was once quoted saying: “My music will go on forever. Maybe it’s a fool to say that, but when me know facts me can say facts. My music will go on forever.” Interesting times ahead.

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