Not many people knew who David Murathe was until he burst into the headlines early this year with his anti-Deputy President William Ruto campaign.
The former Gatanga MP used his position as Jubilee Party vice chairman to push for his bid to block DP Ruto from the 2022 presidential race.
At one time, he claimed he would even go to the Supreme Court to contest Dr Ruto’s bid to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Many assumed that he spoke on behalf of President Kenyatta but when push came to shove, the vocal former MP was forced to resign.
In his wake, he left a party deeply divided into two factions: one pro-Ruto popularly known as Tanga Tanga group, and the other termed as Kieleweke and whose objective is to call to a halt early campaigns and opposed to Ruto. There is also another faction who want to run for the presidency under Jubilee.
Mr Murathe’s brand of politics is not new to Kenyans.
Many politicians in Kenyan have signed Memorandum of Understanding, vowing to support those that they woo to be their running mates only to change tune in the next election.
In 1976, a group behind ‘Change the Constitution’ group similarly sought to keep former President Daniel Moi out of power. The group lost.
In 1992, FORD splintered into several parties, allowing Mr Moi extend his rule for 10 years.
Mr Murathe is championing similar politics and his anti-Ruto antics have weakened the ruling party.
Despite his efforts to divide the Jubilee, DP Ruto insists the party is the best hope for uniting Kenyans.
During last week’s Punchline, Mr Ruto said his relationship with the President remains strong.
Mr Ruto said his boss does not need hangers-on to speak on his behalf.
As the country gravitates towards 2022 General Election, Mr Murathe is a man to watch out for and the very reason he is the second guest on Punchline with Ms Anne Kiguta.
