- President Ruto's close aide Farouk Kibet publicly endorsed National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula for the presidency in 2032
- Kibet dismissed Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna's presidential ambitions, calling him a political novice who lacks experience
- Political analyst Weswa Biketi weighed in on the move, linking it to growing competition for influence in Western Kenya
Masolo Mabonga is the HOD of Politics and Current Affairs at TUKO.co.ke, covering political and world news. Mabonga has over seven years of journalism experience and joined TUKO.co.ke in 2019.
President William Ruto's aide Farouk Kibet has publicly declared his support for National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula to take over the country's top seat after Ruto completes his tenure in 2032, if re-elected in 2027.
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Kibet, who has been criss-crossing the country alongside Wetangula and other pro-government figures, argued that the Speaker's decades in politics make him the most qualified candidate for the presidency after Ruto.
His remarks also took direct aim at Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, whom he dismissed as too inexperienced to mount a credible presidential bid in 2027.
"You can't be born today and become president; it is not possible. Wetang'ula has been around for a long time. He is ripe and ready to be president after William Ruto. We are saying this openly during the day and even at night," Kibet said.
A Crowded Succession Race
Kibet's endorsement arrives as a broad field of politicians positions itself to succeed Ruto. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi are among the prominent names in contention nationally.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Senators Aaron Cheruiyot of Kericho and Jackson Mandago of Uasin Gishu have emerged as possible successors from the Rift Valley. Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi also hinted last month at entering the race as the region's political spokesperson and kingpin.
Kibet himself hails from Uasin Gishu, the president's home county, and his proximity to Ruto means his endorsements are frequently read as reflecting the president's own inclinations.
Political analyst Weswa Biketi suggested the move is a carefully designed counter to Sifuna's expanding influence in Western Kenya.
"I see it as a well-calculated political strategy to entice the people of Bungoma to see the National Assembly Speaker as a man so close to power that they would rather rally behind him than gamble with Sifuna. Remember, Sifuna and Wetangula hail from Bungoma, a county that arguably tilted the political scales in favour of Ruto in 2022," Biketi said.
Wetangula Reads Signals From Ruto
A day after Kibet's public endorsement, Wetangula appeared to corroborate the sentiment when he addressed supporters in his local language.
The Speaker recounted how, during a rally in Eldoret, Ruto invited him to speak last, after the president had already addressed the crowd.
Wetangula told his audience that his speech was followed by a brief silence before the crowd erupted in cheers and applause, which he interpreted as a clear signal of the president's backing for his future ambitions.
Early this year, former Health CS Susan Nakhumicha backed Wetang'ula to succeed Ruto, describing him as experienced and competent.
Nakhumicha, who is seeking to succeed George Natembeya as Trans Nzoia governor, said time was ripe for the Western region to produce a president.
Wetangu'la, who was in attendance, gave the topic a wide berth and instead addressed issues of insecurity and rampant cases of goonism in the country, asking the security apparatus to take charge of the situation before it gets out of hand.
Source: TUKO.co.ke