By Billy Mijungu
It is emerging that the presidential race could be about three main contenders, Kalonzo Musyoka, William Ruto and Fred Matiang’i.
But the next and perhaps more intricate battle will not be at the top.
It will be the battle of deputies, premiers and their deputies, the four strategic positions that could define the next power structure of Kenya’s executive.
With the proposed structure allowing for a President, Deputy President, Prime Minister and two Deputy Premiers, the field is wide but equally complicated.
Each camp will have to carefully balance political, regional and generational interests to survive the next phase of negotiations and alliances.
For President Ruto’s team, the challenge is not about available positions but the lack of freshness. His government is already bloated and the loyalty lines are drawn. The Deputy President slot and the two Deputy Premier positions are already heavily contested within his circles. There is not much left to persuade new entrants. Ruto’s political style is consistent, he rarely changes his inner circle. Even when he dismisses an ally, he often replaces them with someone recommended by that same ally. It is a closed loop built on trust but also stagnation.
Pressure is mounting on Ruto from the ODM wing that joined his coalition. They are demanding a fair share of executive power including the Deputy President position, which could spark internal friction. Beyond that, the only remaining political rewards are Chief Administrative Secretary positions, which Gen Zs have openly rejected as wasteful.
On the other hand, both Kalonzo Musyoka and Fred Matiang’i have space and flexibility to shape their executive teams. They have room to experiment, negotiate and inspire. Kalonzo’s middle ground approach makes him a bridge between regions, while Matiang’i’s appeal to technocrats and reform minded leaders gives him a unique advantage. Both must now identify who will deputize them, balancing competence, loyalty and regional arithmetic.
The number one slot may be sealed, but the battle for number two and the emerging Premier roles could well determine who wins the 2027 race. The game is no longer about who runs, it is about who runs with who.
