BIG SHOE TO FILL?

Ethiopia, DRC, Uganda…Can Ruto take on Kenyatta’s roles in East Africa?

By Musinguzi Blanshe

Premium badge Reserved for subscribers

Posted on August 25, 2022 04:30

 © Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and Paul Kagame of Rwanda, sit during a photo session at the 8th Northern Corridor Integration Projects Summit at Safari Park Hotel, in Nairobi December 11, 2014. REUTERS/Noor Khamis
Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and Paul Kagame of Rwanda, sit during a photo session at the 8th Northern Corridor Integration Projects Summit at Safari Park Hotel, in Nairobi December 11, 2014. REUTERS/Noor Khamis

Congratulations messages from regional heads of state came in quickly after William Ruto was declared winner of Kenya’s presidential election, despite protests from Raila Odinga’s camp who lost by a small margin. If Ruto’s victory is not overturned by the supreme court, will he be able to fill in the role of Uhuru Kenyatta as a major player in the region in conflict resolution and promoting trade?

Ethiopia’s Ahmed Abiy congratulated Ruto minutes after he was declared winner. In the next 12 hours, messages came from Somalia, Uganda, Burundi, South Sudan, Tanzania and Zimbabwe heads of state.

In the region, it’s only the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Felix Tshisekedi, preoccupied with hosting South Africa Development Community (SADC) heads of state summit in Kinshasa, who hasn’t sent a direct message to Ruto. Instead, he congratulated Kenya on a peaceful election and expressed hope that the process will be completed peacefully.

A common thread ran through the congratulations messages: presidents said they are eager to work closely with Ruto on regional issues. “We look forward to working closely with you on common bilateral and regional interests,” Ahmed Abiy said on Twitter.

“I wish to reassure you of Uganda’s commitment to continue partnering with Kenya in advancing regional

There's more to this story

Get unlimited access to our exclusive journalism and features today. Our award-winning team of correspondents and editors report from over 54 African countries, from Cape Town to Cairo, from Abidjan to Abuja to Addis Ababa. Africa. Unlocked.

Subscribe Now

cancel anytime