Mutahi Ngunyi: Uhuru Kenyatta's Sympathiser Who Became William Ruto's Disciple

• Former state house-linked political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi recently announced his defection from Azimio to Ruto's Kenya Kwanza
• Ngunyi's political shift has elicited a debate in political circles as both sides of the divide react differently to his political detour
• On his part, political analyst Mark Bichachi said Ngunyi seemingly made the decision to ditch Azimio as he fears exclusion from political relevance

At the beginning of this month, renowned political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi who became popular with his hard-hitting tweets against William Ruto in the lead-up to the August 2022 elections, made a political detour.

The political scientist who previously worked for former president Uhuru Kenyatta at state house announced he had defected from the Azimio camp and swore his allegiance to Uhuru's estranged successor.

Mutahi Ngunyi's confessions

To prove his loyalty to the current government, the professor even revealed the intricate details of how he was at the centre of sabotaging Ruto's presidential campaign with his Azimio team.

In his confession, Mutahi pulled back the curtains on how the Azimio team allegedly financed the Roots Party manifesto launch to happen on the same day as Kenya Kwanza's.

According to the tyranny-of-numbers theorist, this was meant to reduce the hype on Ruto's launch and divert attention to George Wajackoyah and his team.

"We funded Wajackoyah's launch, and the way we did it, we wanted it to be on the same day as Ruto was doing his launch. We were doing this to irritate him so that when he was on the screen, he would be half-screen. That is exactly what happened," Mutahi revealed a week ago in an interview with the Daily Nation.

In the same interview, Ngunyi also revealed he apologised to the president for the war he waged against him, saying he was compelled to eat the humble pie due to the respect and familial ties he shares with the president.

The political commentator said he offered his apologies to the head of state for his anti-Ruto tweets and for collaborating with the former president, who was Ruto's primary rival in the election year.

"It was nothing personal," he said.

Mutahi Ngunyi's 2022 explosive anti-Ruto tweets

Ngunyi held a position in Uhuru's Kenyatta inner court, having the ex-president's ears and attention. He formed part of the team that was tasked to sell Opposition leader Raila Odinga in the vast Mt Kenya region.

A quick spot check at his tweets during the electioneering year painted the picture of a well-orchestrated campaign and propaganda aimed at diluting Ruto's then-strong wave in Uhuru's backyard.

The analyst ostensibly had one goal; to convince the Mt Kenya residents that the then-deputy president did not have their best interest at heart.

His tweets often brought him under scathing attack as they had tribal undertones, which were perceived as unpleasant in the already heated 2022 political scene.

"Best way to destroy William Ruto is to take Kikuyus away from him. It is that simple. Without Kikuyus, there is no Ruto. Our friend is walking on feet of clay. A mild afternoon shower in GEMA will melt his feet of clay," read one of his tweets.

His 'dear Kikuyus' tweets were tailored to remind the Mt Kenya residents why they should have accepted Uhuru's then-preferred candidate Raila.

Ngunyi inflamed sentiments by citing events like the 2007 Kiambaa massacre, fatalities, and other controversies, which he connected to Ruto, all in an effort to depopularise him in Central Kenya.

"Dear Kikuyus and Kiambaa peoples. Who killed Paul Koinange? Covid? Zero. My hypothesis: He was killed because he was to expose a plot to assassinate Uhuru Kenyatta by Ruto. DCI needs to investigate," he claimed in another tweet.

"Dear Kikuyus, we cannot ignore Kiambaa. We will forget, but never forgive. Eat Ruto, vote Baba,” he said in another separate tweet.

Political pundits speak on Mutahi Ngunyi's defection

Mutahi Ngunyi's defection to Kenya Kwanza has sparked a debate in the political sphere, with Azimio and Kenya Kwanza quarters reacting differently to his political shift.

Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, political Mark Bichachi, a political analyst, said Ngunyi opted to back the current president upon the realisation Ruto might hold power for a long period and as a result, he harbours concerns about being excluded from political relevance.

Bichachi said Ngunyi has never been in Opposition, so he could be struggling to find his footing in the faction.

"Mutahi himself said he is a gun for hire, and therefore this is not a moral decision for him. He decided this for political survival so that he could continue to make money from the government. He does not feel like the Opposition has resources," Bichachi said adding Ngunyi does not know how to be in Opposition, hence his decision.

Mutahi Ngunyi: I am a gun for hire

On August 8, 2023, just after announcing his defection to Kenya Kwanza, Ngunyi also admitted he is a gun for hire, ready to offer his services to the highest bidder.

"For the record: I am a gun for hire. And then? What will you do about it? I am a dog of war. A dog for hire. A mercenary for the public good. I do not care about credibility. It never fed my children. What I know to be true is this: class war is loading. And Ruto is the driver," Ngunyi posted a little over a week ago.

Therefore, the significant inquiry that lingers is whether President William Ruto will indeed acknowledge Ngunyi's apology and grant him the opportunity to serve him.

On his part, Philip Chebunet, a communications lecturer from the University of Eldoret and a Kenya Kwanza-leaning political observer, said Ngunyi may not get the forgiveness he seeks from the head of state.

"As much as he is jostling to come in, he caused us so much pain. He may not be forgiven. He could be looking for a job while some of our team members who were in the 2022 presidential campaign are still in the jobless corner. There is no space for scavengers at this time," Chebunet opined.