Every man has his price. For some it’s money, for some it’s women, for others glory. But the honest man you don’t have to buy – he winds up costing you nothing.”- Harold Robbins.
That Deputy President William Ruto has a soft spot for his erstwhile staunchest critic, former Kakamega senator Boni Khalwale is an open secret. This has seen his former longtime allies from the Western Kenya region become averse with whispers of simmering discord in his camp rife.
But even with the disquiet potentially threatening to trigger an unprecedented exodus in his ranks, Ruto remains enamoured to the lover of bulls – at least for now.
COTU boss Francis Atwoli has sensationally warned Western Kenya politicians, especially those touted as Pro Ruto to either join him in Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) or risk being sent to political Siberia.
“I will be the one with the list of those to be considered for various seats at both local and national level and it is therefore up to you to consult with me or remain where you are if you think you are right,” he added.
Atwoli reiterated that he would not be seeking any elective seat in 2022 but that he remains the kingmaker who will be pulling shots when the time comes.
The Cotu boss spoke at Mwiruti Primary School in Bungoma county during the funeral of the late Thika High School teacher Emmanuel Wenyusia who was his brother-in-law (Mary Kilobi’s brother)
Atwoli claimed that Ruto had no respect for the Luhya people.
“I have some text messages attributed to the DP talking ill of us and those supporting him must re-think about their political destiny,” he claimed.
Details have emerged that Khalwale’s role aside from blogging is partly to act as a persistent irritant to top Luhya political leadership, with the trickle-down effect of occasioning general anxiety, as well as pitting Ruto’s allies in the region against each other, for the DP would not mind “as long as they campaign for him”.
The blogging part, he is doing impeccably.
In return, the DP gifted Khalwale with a Nissan Patrol luxury vehicle on top of a Ksh1 million monthly retainer in exchange of his loyalty and brinkmanship ahead of the 2022 transition.
