END OF THE ROAD? WHAT RAILA'S DEATH MEANS TO UDA MERCHANTS IN THE RIFT

It happened so fast and so sudden. Like a swimming fish suddenly thrown by currents to a dry shore, former Premier Raila Odinga death caught many a politician on a catch 22.

And it isn't ODM politicians alone, the United Democratic Alliance of Kenya (UDA) politicians and their fixers are now becoming a confused lot by day, Bomet newswire can now reveal.

With assurance of over 6 million Raila votes, UDA was sure of an easy victory in the 2027 elections and most had engaged in succession politics beyond President Ruto's second term.So sure of the future, that one political fixer once told this publication that he was contemplating running for presidency in 2032, since President Ruto has 'smoothened the road all the way.'

That sounds like a crazy dream -for now. And as the dust settles following the demise of the former firebrand premier, reality is dawning before all and sundry in UDA and Kenya Kwanza Alliance.

For starters, UDA was formed through a joined ticket between President Ruto and his now estranged and impeached Deputy Geoffrey Rigathi Gachagua pre 2022 elections- a coalition of the 'Rift and the Mountain' of sorts. Its first Secretary General was former Kakamega Senator Cleopas Malala.

Three years down the line, the party is a pale shadow of its former self. Former Deputy president Rigathi Gachagua was thrown out through impeachment, and according to him, he took away the mountain.

SG Cleo Malala suffered the same fate, and safe for Raila's death, the UDA Majority whip Bonny Kwalwale was to face the butcher few weeks ago.

And who is the butcher? A simple answer is Orange Democratic Movement (ODM)! The broadbased government arrangement between President Ruto and the late PM Raila had made it so easy for the UDA fixers to punish internal dissent that they perhaps destroyed the very glue that held the party together.

With Raila gone and ODM caught up in supremacy battles. Focus on what is left of UDA is a worthwhile discussion, especially whether President Ruto can find it a sustainable vehicle to use for his 2027 elections - and the fate of Riftvalley politicians that had made the party their home.

From a neutral observer, UDA is now basically a Rift Valley party - since the mountain is gone. And like the former ruling party KANU after 1997 elections, most of its former disciples are gone.And perhaps that's the reason the president has approached the KANU chair Gideon Moi to consolidate the Rift Valley support.

From this analysis, collapsing UDA and merging with ODM seem the most viable option for the President Ruto for his 2027 re-election.

And this perhaps now begs the questions that this story seeks an answer - what is the fate of Kalenjin UDA self styled kingpins and fixers-including Emuria Dikiir MP Johanna Ngeno and Senate Majority leader Aaron Cheruiyot? And the North Rift counterparts ? Their fixers And Cabinet Secretaries including Kipchumba Murkomen and Davies Chirchir