When I read the news that UDA presidential contender William Ruto will boycott the third ever presidential debate in Kenya, my heart sunk and I could feel for the organizers.
The event will be extremely colorless without the rift valley political supremo.
Hate him or love him, Ruto’s oratory skills are unmatched and if you wanted someone to light up a big event like the presidential debate, then the man from Sugoi ticks all the boxes.
Sharp memory, articulate, confident, and with a gift of the garb which no doubt leaves friends and foes mesmerized.
Many would say Ruto is good at lying with a straight face but hey, which politician in this part of the world says the truth 100%.
Raila Odinga has had his days and might be wiser now with age but listening to him now is akin to listening to my grandfather who needs 20 minutes to drive home an insignificant point.
At 77 years of age, the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition presidential flag bearer will struggle to light up the presidential debate alone.
One just needs to take a quick look a previous TV interviews of the two presidential front-runners; Raila stutters, stammers, and barely convinces you with his articulation of issues.
Ruto on the other hand is the proverbial cat that never falls on its back, he will find a way to come back even when it appears he has been knocked down by a difficult question.
Unlike Raila, Ruto cuts the image of a man who understands the game of politics like very few, if any, among the current crop of politicians.
Many would argue that Raila is a better politician but show me any non-Kikuyu politician who has managed to confuse the Mt Kenya voters in the recent past as Ruto has?
Raila could not even get close (to convincing the GEMA voters) at the prime of his political career in 2007 so what magic is he left with now? He is boring at political rallies and uninspiring in TV interviews.
I will keep crossing my figures hoping Ruto will reconsider his decision to boycott the presidential debate because surely, any right-thinking Kenyan will be happy to watch the man from Sugoi light up the event.
The writer is Hillary Njoroge, a commentator on social and political issues. The views expressed here are his and do not in any way represent the official position of Kivumbi.co.ke, its owners, and/or editors.
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