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| Photo: A screenshot of Ruto's official Twitter Account (Macmillan Nyaberi). |
In March 2006, Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Biz Stone and Evans Williams created Twitter, a popular social media platform with over 187 Million active users.
The 'microblogging' system allows one to send and receive posts dubbed tweets. These tweets have a limit of 280 characters. Twitter users follow other and this enables one to see the other person's 'timeline'.
Kenya's second most powerful man is among the millions of active Twitter users. As of today, William Ruto tops the list of Kenya's most followed politicians with a whooping 3.8Million followers. In return, the firebrand follows only 117 people.
Despite of his indomitable political influence, Ruto has kept a tightly-knit circle of friends to his bosom. An elusive analysis of 117 people he follows reveals unusual trend which deserves a special mention.
Among the ten of hundreds of ODM leaders on Twitter, Samoei follows only one leader, and who is the lucky one? Raila? No, Ruto only follows Siaya senator James Orengo. Why did he pick the 'walking constitution' from the pack?
There is a wide spectrum as to why William 'followed' Orengo. First, the legal expert is a close ally and confidante of ODM chief Raila Odinga who happens to be Ruto's greatest critic and challenger. To destroy the king, one needs to monitor the moves of his close aides and through them, one can easily overrun the kingdom. That is it!
As a senior counsel, Orengo deserves a reserve for his services may one day save Samoei should he find himself on the wrong side of the law. A wise man is he who prepares his future when he has a chance to and this, Ruto has strategically done.