Deputy President Ruto is the Big Looser of the Kericho and Malindi By-Elections

Today the people of Kericho and Malindi are casting their ballots to elect their Senator and Member of Parliament respectively thanks to the deliberate creation of those by elections following the appointment of former holders to the cabinet by President Kenyatta's administration.  At a first glance one cannot help but wonder whether Kenya needed this unnecessary electioneering. A part from diverting attention from things that matter such as fighting corruption, these by-elections have also once again shown how politically immature Kenya is and how elections remain a volatile process. For instance reports of the arrests of some Nairobi based politicians in Malindi speaks volumes. I thought the by-elections were meant for the people of Malindi and Kericho to choose their representatives? 

But wait a minute, the creation of by-elections in Kericho and Malindi may seem unnecessary at first but I have always doubted it was. I have somehow keenly observed President Kenyatta's conduct in these by-elections which he and his deputy William Ruto created. I think the President knew what he wanted and clearly he is getting it. After staying in the coast for over a month and doing a lot to woe the coast the President may have wanted to measure his influence in the coast by deliberately creating a by election so that he can get his math right ahead of 2017. In Kericho, the President may have wanted to test KANU and see its viability as an option if and when the Kalenjin nation drops his deputy Ruto. President Kenyatta after creating the by elections largely missed from action instead making himself busy abroad leaving his Deputy to sweat at home. I want to believe my doubts that Ruto has had any sleep these days. Uhuru must be enjoying the drama. I always pity one Mr. Ruto. But why has the man who was so politically shrewd become this daft as to ascertain simple political calculations?