An ardent critic of Deputy President William Ruto especially over his Hustler narrative, Isiolo Governor Mohamed Kuti is allegedly considering seeking a gubernatorial ticket away from ODM Leader Raila Odinga’s camp.
Sources close to the politician revealed to The Press Point that Dr Kuti was weighing between shifting to a new party or vying as an independent candidate while seeking a reelection in 2022.
The decision is due to fact that he and his arch rival and predecessor Godana Doyo have been in Mr Odinga’s camp and fear that the former premier might support Mr Doyo over him.
During his recent visit to popularise his Azimio la Umoja, Mr Odinga was treated to rude shock when a section of the youths booed Dr Kuti, who was the host, forcing him to suspend his speech and pave way for other speakers.
Mr Odinga was at one point forced to calm the protesting group telling them if they were dissatisfied with the Governor, they should wait until elections time to effect the changes they want.
Whichever the angle one viewed it, political observers say the incident showed that Dr Kuti was quickly losing ground to his main challenger Mr Doyo.
But having not lost single election since 2002 when he was elected as Isiolo North MP, Dr Kuti is among the contestants hard to beat due to his vast political experience and connections in government.
“It’s a way to be on the safe side. You cannot be in the same camp with your competitor,” one of the sources intimated.
The issue is believed to have contributed to his absence at the December 10 Azimio la Umoja convention at Kasarani grounds that Mr Doyo attended sending signals that the Governor was headed to another party.
It’s however yet to be agreed whether he should shift to new party or not and if so whether Dr Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance is the best and convenient option or not.
“The choice on the party is still open and we are still consulting widely. We have options of DP, PNU, DEP and even UDA,” another source revealed.
Observers say Dr Kuti might not join UDA as some of his political enemies such as Woman Rep Rehema Jaldesa who has been his harshest critic are already in the party.
The Isiolo gubernatorial race is seen to be a two-horse race between Dr Kuti and Mr Doyo though pundits say the former is better placed due to his financial muscle which the latter lacks.
Others in the race include former EACC boss Halakhe Waqo who has already been endorsed by his Borana’s Karayu clan and Hudson Kinyua who was recently given a greenlight to vie for the seat by a section of Ameru community elders in a disputed event.
Governor Kuti was unreachable for a comment over the issue.
