You can have an ideology and be pragmatic at the same time as opposed to a fanatic/extremist.
Raila has described himself several times as a panafricanist and a social democrat- Social democracy is a political, social and economic ideology that supports economic and social interventions to promote social justice within the framework of a liberal democratic polity and capitalist economy.
I would assume that an educated person in this day and age should support a leader who at a minimum be able to articulate their political ideology in away that is consistent with the acceptable political ideologies of our modern times.
I have never heard Ruto articulate his political ideology and I think its intentional so that he is not pegged down to any set of internal rules that people can judge him by. I am sure Ruto has some sets of political preferences which could be plotted somewhere on the Right to left political spectrum but he leaves that to people like you and Pundit to do so in the most positive light possible to his political career as needed.
I and many others believe that Ruto is a ruthless, efficient, pragmatist in the politics of corruption, looting, tribalism, and electoral fraud. I believe he is capable of quickly graduating into a ruthless dictator if not stopped or checked. He has been compared to some of the most ruthless dictators of our time based on his impatience, restlessness, aversion to criticism, hands on managerial style, and ability to very cruel and unforgiving to his critics. Just think of how he recently let his dogs loose on Gideon at a funeral. Gideon's only crime is because he dares to have presidential ambitions and denied Ruto access to his ailing and his senile 93 year old father when Ruto needed that photo-op to bolster his 2022 political ambitions.
Most dictators win hearts earlier in their days of governance by promising efficiency in the delivery of services in exchange for civil liberties. People love it in the beginning just to wake up a few years later with a ruthless dictator. I remember the earlier days of Moi visiting hospitals, Kagame is still at it and Ugandans loved Museveni when he rode into power.
We need the constitutional changes that Raila is fighting for to safeguard our democracy, inclusivity, unity and liberties than the fleeting and nebulous qualities of an "efficient" strong man that Ruto is offering.
I think you could as well be describing Raila. In terms of ruthless pragmatism, etc. For instance Raila supported a draft with pure presidency, no regions, etc - for political expediency. The most discernible difference between Raila and Ruto is the disorganization vs efficiency. I said already both men are ambitious to build legacies but Ruto's execution is definitely better.
If ideology was important than efficiency I would pick Raila because I would rather liberal than conservative. However I don't want socialism.
My man is William Ruto. Ruthless efficiency and capitalism.
Before "ideology" and such cosmetics, Ruto shone as the only Ass Min to sit in the Moi cabinet. As MP his CDF shone. As Agric & Higher Ed Min he shone. Fake colleges ran helter-skelter. That's a performer only rivalled by John Michuki. Compared to say a bozo like Mudavadi who held executive portfolio Finance and Local Govt under Moi and Raila patronage for years and has zilch to report.
Buzz like "ideology" is vagueness that masks incompetence. Political leanings are a costly luxury in place of bread and butter. That's why I asked earlier how a marshall plan would be impacted by the leader's title.
Ruto's ideological and economic stands are apparent to me as they begun since 2010 constitution debate to firm up in URP. He is social conservative supporting Christian and African traditional values. He opposed the new constitution for this reason - it's moral laxity on abortion, gay marriage, etc. To be clear I as Robina don't support conservative politics. Except where liberal loonies go too far.
He believes in small government and capitalism as opposed to state overreach and socialism. Ruto would be a Rethug in the US.
Most of the Jubilee big projects - SGR, irrigation schemes, etc - were URP promises before Jubilee coalition in Dec 2012. Uhuru's and TNA's main noticeable promise was laptops for kids.
You can recall Ruto and Raila's ODM promised devolution in the 2007 elections. At Naivasha in 2010, Ruto joined Uhuru and PNU to eliminate regions and PM from the draft. It buffles now Uhuru supports both items.
Ruto's stand is firm on most national matters. I don't know what to make of claims of his massive wealth. Also there are many fabulously wealthy thieves in the "inclusion" corner that you and Raila support. Ruto has nothing on the dynasties in this regard. It's actually impossible to say integrity, inclusion or change in the same breath as the dynasties with a straight face.
About vision: well 2022 is a whole 4 years away. We don't even know his opponents, except those pushing for new positions while insisting they will not run in 2022. Some are being proposed by Atwoli, etc. No pressure for Ruto at all - let competitors emerge.
Ruto has in fact never been a presidential candidate before. Still he masterfully articulates the incoherent Mr Kenyatta's agenda. Formal campaigns begin in May 2022.
