Ruto is definitely hardworking with excess testosterone. Generates enough energy to run around everywhere ala Moi. He is an articulate demagogue and makes for an excellent Kiongozi ya Upinzani.
No, he is not smart but HARE-BRAINED - clever but lacks wisdom. See how he is openly overambitious. Ungroomed and unable to hide his greed - playing Baba Nyayo 40 years out of tune - he basically spills the elite secret and exposes them to public anger by his bloodmoney generosity. Ruto democratizes graft which makes him incompatible with the oligarchy. They all invariably see him as an ill-bred unwashed outsider.
Raila had these qualities of hubris, naive activism, revolutionary, equality & justice, etc - which locked him out over the years. But he has since wizened and joined the club. Kichwa said before: Ruto needs a few losses and teargas lessons to climb that ladder. That nonsense about Hustler Nation will get him nowhere- Matiba, Tsivangirai, Besigye are a complete chapter in the study. In Africa, the oligarchy rules; any seeming “revolution” is simply a critical faction of the elite outteaming their peers and is by definition faux pas.
In life, you can do good or you can do well; Sooner than later they make you choose.
Ruto is NOT too smart. He had this thing bagged if he did not get too greedy and too impatient. Ame rogwa. Why did he have to buy all these MP's and then start campaigning five years before the elections in 2022 when he was an incumbent DP.? And what was all that dynasty vs. Hustler nation dig at Ouru supposed to be about. He was poking the dynasty right in the eye and then when dynasty hits back, he is now crying like a little girl. He should have shut up, and played stupid like Moi did and he would now be looking forward to inheriting the Gema vote with Ouru's blessings. Thats all water under the bridge now. He only has himself to blame.
Ngeno - iko na vita yake na wamaasai. Maasai are going through 7 stages of accepting Narok is gone to Kipsigis. Ngeno is not really Ruto kind of guy - but now he wants to become governor in Narok - and he need Ruto.
As for Ruto - he has two unique qualities - hard work and intelligence - and courage of course.
So don't think you're facing maDVD or Kalonzo - you're facing a younger Raila.
No I have been of the opinion that his madness will lead him to a drive by shoot out with enemies and he will be killed. You see how akina Ng'eno is that his name have suffered. Before COVID, Ruto MPS in RV were eating viboko and tear gas every other week