Apart from RVHH here - I have keenly followed Ruto steps since 1998. I didnt see much of Y2k of early 90s.
1998 - 1st term Mp - he was a bit player with Kirwa, Late Kapten, Jirongo and KANU (B)/ UDM who were fighting old KANU A . Ruto/Kirwa crew who revolved around Uasin-Gishu-Tranzoia - and were generally trying to start a Nandi rebellion against Moi. Their biggest beef beyond Moi messing up Maize & KCC - was EATEC large wattle land in present day Kapseret. The Tugen-Keiyo elites wanted to buy - and Nandis organized to repulse them.
Anyway his rebellion was short-lived and soon Moi made him Ass Min of State - Moi had like 4 minister under Harambee - and Ruto disappeared from my radar. Mark Too and Raila would dominate the 1999-2001 with their cooperation.
It wasnt until 2001/2002 that Ruto would re-appear. This time as proxy of Gideon Moi & Uhuru Kenyatta. He had managed to win trust of Moi - by his brilliance and was competing with Kamotho for KANU spokesmanship - as he is well spoken - and avid debater both in parliament and outside. He was only KANU mp who could hold a debate with most of brilliant opposition Mps.
What really made me notice Ruto was when I learnt that Biwott had been kicked out of Kitchen cabinet - by Gideon Moi - and replaced by WSR. That was almost outragous - Biwott had been Moi righthand man - as official PA since 1970s - and business partner - bag carrier - together with Kulei who was personal PA. To kick out Biwott from Moi kitchen was clear demonstration that Ruto had not come to joke.
Although I hated KANU - I followed Ruto inspired and led - Youth KANU fresh campaign for Uhuru in 2002 - with great admiration. Ruto had almost successfully branded the opposition and KANU older folks as too old baggage who needed to retire with Moi - for if Moi was retiring - why would they stay longer?
It took Raila's Tosha - to save Kenya - as truly Ruto, Uhuru and Gideon were just not ready for prime time. They were barely in their 30s and early 40s - and were pure greenhorns.
Subequently in 2003 - there was small succession war btw Gideon and Ruto on who would inherit Kalenjin & KANU leadership. Gideon lost as he was just incapable of leading even two goats. KANU was then essentially Kiambu & Kalenjin party - The Kiambu (kikuyu) crew immediately run to Kibaki - and Uhuru was left as loner. Ruto essentially became KANU leader.
Now btw 2003 - 2005 - Ruto real mentle - showed. As everyone cowed with NARC lynch mob baying for any KANU/Kalenjin blood - Ruto couragously stood and took on the official opposition role. It's was initially akward for KANU to oppose anything - with their history as the most evil party - but with time Ruto found enough voice - to make Kibaki crew scared.
As the NARC crew got into their own corruption - Ruto opposition voice grew - and in desperate attempt to clip him - Kiraitu and company arrested Ruto together with Kulei for Ngong land deals. Ruto was out after weekend - and continued hitting NARC - his courage at this point earned him his Kalenjin nickname - Nyiganet - the brave one.
And soon was joined by LPK crew (Raila-Kalonzo) who felt betrayed by NAK crew.
2005 Bomas - Ruto was now de-facto KANU chair - while Uhuru was just one man crew - and soon Ruto joint hands with Raila & kalonzo to oppose constitution. Ruto was still a baby compared to Raila in crowd mobilization.
When referendum results were out - Kibaki crew got even more angry at Ruto - because not only had he mobilized Kalenjin to oppose it - but also Kalenjin turnout was so high - Kibaki crew claimed Ruto had rigged.
Ruto was now the kingmaker to decide btw Kalonzo and Raila. Ruto favoured Kalonzo and was unconformtable with Raila - because 1) he would be hard to win - un-electability of Raila/Luos is longstanding issue in kenya - 2) he was forceful character - however the kalenjin as they got angier with kibaki/GEMA crew - they wanted someone who was their antidote - and Raila rose from being un-electable to win ODM ticket - although Kalonzo bolted out.
From 2007 - and with Kalenjin again voting 99 percent for Raila - and with worse violence from Kalenjin that was wrongly attributed to Ruto - everyone now knew about Ruto - he had arrived in national pysche - he was dead man walking/kabuga for his enemies - he was a hero to his admirers - and his story - pretty much everyones knows from there.
Ruto incredible political journey is just about started. In 10yrs - I suspect all kenyans will in unison remove the two term limits and allow Ruto to rule kenya indefenitely
- for he would have transformed the country in ways you cannot imagine.
Ruto is the most complete, the most consumate politician ever in kenya. He is incredibly disciplined, couragous, hardworking, gifted with cab/orator, quick thinker, tenancious, ambitious and just doesnt know what failure is. Expecting Ruto to fail is setting yourself to fail. Ruto will do all that is humanly possible to suceed.
