The Onguru Report's Comprehensive Guide To Identifying (With Accuracy) When You Have Been Used, Dumped, And Cut Loose

William Ruto's meteoric rise to power has been nothing short of phenomenal.

From an unknown twenty-something second-in-command at the financially scandalous and economy-crashing Youth For KANU '92, to clinching the Eldoret North Parliamentary seat unopposed, to a stint at the powerful Agriculture Ministry (from which he was unceremoniously bundled on charges of corruption), to enduring a sensational crimes against humanity trial at The Hague for burning Kikuyus in a church, to a tumultuous tenure in the deputy presidency, to his unkosher catapulting to the highest office in the land, William Ruto's 30-year odyssey has been punctuated by one constant alone: sheer unbridled ambition. And woe unto anyone who dares stand in his way, as Cyrus Jirongo in those early years, and later on, Uhuru Kenyatta, and many more in between, came to discover, to their utter detriment.

Ruto's singular drive to win at any cost should now have been apparent to anyone with even a modicum of insight or just rudimentary experience in Kenyan politics. Almost everyone was acutely aware of his propensity to use and dump, and would not touch him with a long pole. So he was forced to change tack, just a little bit.

Capitalising on the Kikuyu unquenchable avarice for political power (despite having just used and dumped their "Mutongoria/Muthamaki" less than one electoral cycle erstwhile), William Ruto's Machiavellian wile was quick to identify the Kikuyu vote as a conduit for his final ascent. But everyone was now wary of his modus operandi. And yet, he still had one more card up his sleeve.

The Unprecedented Rise of a Son of Mau Mau 
Solution? Pick a nobody from within the desperate community, festoon him with the prospect of power and grandeur, and dangle before him untold riches beyond his wildest imaginings in order to reap the vote-rich Mount Kenya bloc.

Ruto's final favour fell on a political novice, a one-term Member of Parliament sure to pose no threat. What this recipient of good fortune lacked in experience and political savvy he more than made up for in raw, blinded ambition, a naked need to advance his lacklustre nascent career. With no governance record to call upon or speak of, not even one sponsored motion in the National Assembly, all he possessed was a stint as a District Officer in the distant past, at the apex of the disastrous Nyayo Error. He was the perfect candidate.

Unpopular both locally and nationally and exercising no tangible influence in either sphere, green around the ears and posing no obvious political challenge, this man was tailor-made for the role he was required to perform. Quickly buying into the false narrative of "Mount Kenya kingpin" that was used to lure him out of obscurity, he unthinkingly bit the bait and hit the ground running. Enter Geoffrey Rigathi Gachagua.

The Fall from Favour

Fast forward to 2024, and the chickens are home early to roost. William Ruto, having settled in at State House and leaving in his wake a throng of disgruntled and disillusioned enablers–the Church, who have since stopped fighting and accepted their forced penetration as par for the course; bamboozled hustlers who don't know whether they're coming or going; economically famished mama mbogas, poorer today than they were merely two years ago when they threw their lot in en masse with Ruto; and a passengerless bodaboda fraternity–now sees no need to indulge Gachagua and his Mount Kenya cohort any further.

They instead find themselves the latest unwitting recruits in Ruto's growing list of angry voters. Has Ruto no more need for Kikuyu support? (Word on the street is that William Ruto is deviously gutting Kikuyus economically via his trusted Mount Kenya moles, not unlike his political godfather Moi did before him.)

And yet Ruto's latest political metamorphosis is curious to say the least: "I was elected to transform Kenya," he recently informed the nation, "not to be re-elected." This says a lot about the current state of mind of a man who has fought tooth and nail all his life just to be president. Is he prematurely throwing in the towel for 2027?

But then there's the spectre of a "handshake" with Raila Odinga hanging in the air, a prospect that has had Mount Kenya as a unit shadowboxing and frothing at the mouth since the day the son of Mau Mau moved into Karen, a never-going-away reminder that Ruto's presidency will continue, with or without the Mount Kenya vote.

DP Gachagua after seeing handshake brothers HE Raila Odinga and president Ruto at Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni Kisozi country home.

Riggy G and Mt Kenya tugege MPs can't believe Baba didn't not go to bondo. pic.twitter.com/uLj9WZ5HIP

— Denis Maina (@denismaina_) February 26, 2024

Recognising the Signs of Being Used and Discarded
The pattern is clear: William Ruto's rise is built on the backs of those he manipulates and then abandons. Gachagua's plight is just the latest chapter in a long history of political betrayal. This behaviour isn't confined to the political arena; it’s a common tactic used in various walks of life.

Recognising these signs can help individuals protect themselves from similar exploitation. Here are several tell-tale signs to help identify when you are being used and are about to be cut loose:

1. Unrealistic Promises: If the promises made to you seem too good to be true, they probably are. Be wary of political figures who offer the moon but provide little in tangible results.

2. Sudden Favour and Attention: If you find yourself suddenly courted by powerful individuals or groups without a clear reason, question their motives. This newfound attention often precedes exploitation.

3. Isolation from Others: Those who use others often isolate them from their support networks, making it harder to seek advice or assistance. Stay connected and get second opinions.

4. Dismissal of Concerns: If your concerns or questions about the direction of a project or initiative are brushed aside, take note. Your input should matter if the partnership is genuine.

5. Shifting Blame: Beware of individuals who deflect blame onto you when things go wrong, even when their directives led to the failure. This is often a prelude to being discarded.

Conclusion: Vigilance is Key

In the ruthless arena of Kenyan politics, vigilance and critical thinking are your best defenses against exploitation. As Gachagua and the Mount Kenya electorate are painfully learning, aligning with ambitious leaders without thorough scrutiny can lead to disenchantment and betrayal. Always question motives, scrutinise promises, and maintain a healthy scepticism.

Remember, in politics as in life, being used and cut loose is an ever-present danger for the unwary. Stay informed, stay alert, and above all, trust but verify!