A day in Kenyan politics is like a thousand years. New alignments, handshakes, coalitions, co-operations…and the list goes on. As days goes by, political temperatures in Kenya keep rising. Political leaders are trying to lay foundation for the positions to vie for come 2022. This has led to splitting of some political leaders but as the saying goes: no permanent enmity in politics.
Amidst the confusion, there is a herd of politicians who are the greatest target in this battle. Most of them are eyeing the presidential seat in 2022 general election. Each day they keep trying to match the cards hoping for the best come 2022.
Kenyan Political Leaders to Watch Out before 2022
| Political leader | Current position | Political party |
| Uhuru Kenyatta | President | Jubilee |
| William Samoei Arap Ruto | Deputy President | Jubilee |
| Raila Amolo Odinga | ODM party leader | Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) |
| Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka | WDM party leader | Wiper Democratic Movement |
| Musalia Mudavadi | ANC party leader | Amani National Congress |
| Moses Wetangula | Bungoma Senator | Ford Kenya |
| Gideon Moi | Baringo Senator | Kenya African Union (KANU) |
| Alfred Mutua | Machakos Governor | Maendeleo Chap Chap |
| Ekuru Aukot | Kenyan lawyer | Thirdway Alliance |
| Kivutha Kibwana | Makueni Governor | Muungano Party |
1. Uhuru Kenyatta
His Excellency, Uhuru Kenyatta is the current president of the Republic of Kenya. He is serving the second term in presidency after which he is expected to retire. Despite the retirement, the president has immeasurable influence over the 2022 election.
According to 2019 census analysis, President Uhuru’s backyard will be a key determinant in the 2022 General Election. The president will definitely have an influence on how Mt. Kenya region votes in 2022. With the bromance between the president and his deputy in limbo, a lot is expected before the next election.
2. William Arap Samoei Ruto
The 2022 presidential candidate in Kenya, H.E. William Ruto is the current deputy president. He has served with president Uhuru for two terms. President Uhuru declared him as his successor earlier on but things have taken a different course.
Following the handshake between the president and ODM leader, Ruto allies have asked questions. The deputy president seems to be in the midst of the wilderness in politics but we can’t ignore his political prowess. The recent “political cleanup” in both houses has been seen as an attempt to lock out Ruto out of the presidential race.
3. Raila Amolo Odinga
Being the ODM and BBI politics leader in Kenya, Mr. Raila Odinga has a notable influence over 2022 elections. Recently, he has become a good friend to the president after the handshake. But on the other side, his relationship with the deputy president has become like water and oil.
According to one of political lecturers in Maseno University, there is no politics without the name Raila Odinga. “In the political landscape now, he is the one formidable to challenge the already declared candidate William Ruto,” Mr. Mboya says.
4. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka
The Wiper leader, Kalonzo Musyoka declared that his name will be in the presidenctial ballot come 2022 and he will not support any other candidate. He said he has sacrificed his presidency ambition twice to support H.E. Raila Odinga but it is now his turn to lead.
Recently, Mr. Kalonzo has tried to strengthen the relationship with the president. The 2022 presidential candidate had long ago expressed the desire to work with the president. He formalized this by entering into a cooperation agreement with the president. The new alignment will see Wiper Party benefit from leadership position in the Senate and National Assembly.
5. Musalia Mudavadi
Both the president and the ANC party leader were political students of the late former president, H.E Daniel Arap Moi. The two seem to have a long-lasting friendship which is being warmed up for the purpose of 2022. The president invited Mr. Mudavadi for a ride on presidential chopper to Garissa which got tongues wagging.
Currently, sources have it that Mr. William Ruto is working hand-in-hand with Mr. Musalia secretly over 2022 election’s game. Could this be true? Only time will tell.
6. Moses Wetangula
The Ford Kenya party leader told The Standard Newspaper in January 2019 that he has been endorsed by his party to vie 2022 presidential seat. On June 1, 2020 Wetangula and Musalia Mudavadi had a meeting with other Western region leaders to discussion the 2022 issues. The leaders said that anyone who does not go through them will not be recognized by Mulembe Nation. This came after COTU secretary general, Kakamega governor and Devolution CS were installed to spearhead the interests of the Luhya. Quite difficult to separate Kenyan politics with tribal alignments. Right?
7. Gideon Moi
In 2020 May Kenyans testified the post-election pact between Jubilee and KANU parties. Gideon Moi being KANU’s party leader seem to draw honey from the coalition. This has risen political rivalry between him and Ruto. Senator Samuel Poghisio, Gideon’s man recently replaced Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, Ruto’s backbone as the majority leader in Senate. This has increased tension in the Jubilee party over Uhuru’s succession.
8. Alfred Mutua
Alfred Mutua, Machakos governor has drawn attention to many through his work within the county. His never-say-die spirit is what drives him towards state house come 2022. He has been able to meet with Gideon Moi and Raila Odinga during his leadership which has caused ripples in local political scene. The Maendeleo Chap Chap party leader has mounted anti-corruption crusades which have put him on a thin line against his rivals.
9. Ekuru Aukot
The Thirdway Alliance party leader, Ekuru Aukot is the man behind Punguza Mzigo initiative which is anchored around cutting the government representation. The Punguza Mzigo initiative failed to meet the minimum threshold for a referendum. The 2017 presidential candidate lost it but he has not given up yet.
10. Kivutha Kibwana
After serving for two terms in Makueni county, Kivutha has not hidden his intention to go for the top office in the land. He joins a list of other Kamba leaders who have vowed to go for the highest position in Kenya. His development record in Makueni cannot be ignored in his quest for the presidency. As he stated while making known his ambitions, he has bowed to run due to public demand.
The presidential seat will have stiff competition come 2022 with more than eight candidates. All political leaders are having sleepless nights trying to up their game.
