Since independence in 1963, several top leaders have held the seat of the deputy president with majority eyeing the presidency, centrally to their aspirations it’s only Moi who succeed directly and Mwai Kibaki indirectly.
Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi served as the second President of Kenya from 1978 to 2002 after the death of founding President Jomo Kenyatta. Prior to 1978, he served as the third Vice President of Kenya from 1967 to 1978.
Mwai Kibaki also deputized Moi from 1978 to 1988 before their relationship fell off but Kibaki would later become president many years after.
Prof George Saitoti became Kenya’s longest-sitting vice-president serving for 13 years under President Daniel Arap Moi between May 1989 and January 1998 and again between April 1999 and August 2002
Mudavadi was the last and shortest serving vice president under president Moi in 2002.
Kijana Wamalwa was appointed a vice president in 2002 and following his death, Moody Awori popularly known as “Uncle Moody succeeded Musalia from September 2003 to 2009.
Kalonzo Musyoka also deputized Mwai Kibaki from 2009 to 2013 before the formation of the Jubilee government under Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto.
Elders and political commentators now believe that the founding president Jomo Kenyatta might have cursed the seat after several fights with his nemesis Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
Political analyst cum politician Kamau Mburu has said that the continuous assessment of Ruto’s movement indicates a man who is in a mission to challenge the norm.
He states that the DP has been banking on “Wanjiku” than a politician as it’s has been the case with presidential contenders.
“Deputy President William Ruto might break the vice-presidential jinx because every day he is on meeting with politicians and community leaders to strategize about 2022, he is too aware that apart from president Moi who inherited power, there is no sitting VP who has become President, “Kamau state.
Political players argue that in Kenya presidents are installed by dynasties but not elected and this is the handle that the DP might fail to cross since Gideon Moi has already declared an interest to succeed Uhuru.
They argue that the only way for Ruto to be installed as president is only by working closely to loyal families and urging Uhuru to step down to power by 2021 just for one year.
They cite a similar scenario of October 2014 where President Uhuru Kenyatta surrendered the instrument of power to Deputy President William Ruto for him to attend ICC.