NAIROBI — The "Hustler versus Dynasty" slogan that swept President William Ruto to power in 2022 is dead, buried under the weight of economic reality. In its place, a new, more sophisticated narrative has emerged—one designed not to inspire hope, but to enforce inevitability.

This is the sharp assessment of prominent lawyer and political commentator Wahome Thuku, who has peeled back the layers of the President’s recent maneuvering to reveal what he calls a calculated "bait-and-switch" for the 2027 election. According to Thuku, the President has adopted a "Unity versus Anarchy" narrative, leveraging the Broad-Based Government (BBG) to paint any opposition as enemies of national stability.

The Death of the Hustler

"The Hustler narrative was a single-use vehicle," Thuku noted in a stinging analysis shared with his followers. "It got him to State House, but it cannot keep him there."

The shift, analysts agree, was necessitated by the biting cost of living crisis that has alienated the very mama mbogas and boda boda riders who formed Ruto's base. With the price of fuel hovering around KES 180 and the shilling struggling against the dollar, the romanticism of the "bottom-up" economic model has clashed with the hard pavement of daily survival.

Thuku argues that the President, realizing the "Hustler" tag now invites ridicule rather than applause, has pivoted to a strategy of co-option. By bringing opposition figures from Raila Odinga’s ODM party into the Cabinet, Ruto has effectively dissolved the traditional "Government vs. Opposition" battle lines.

The ‘Broad-Based’ Trap

The new narrative is simple but potent: "We are all in government now. Anyone outside is a spoiler."

"He is no longer running against a dynasty," Thuku warned. "He is running as the symbol of 'Unity.' He has swallowed the opposition to create a perception that he is the only option on the ballot. It is a psychological game to make his 2027 victory seem inevitable before a single vote is cast."

• Neutralizing Dissent: By absorbing key ODM leaders, the administration has silenced the loudest critics in Nyanza and the Coast.
• Isolating Mt Kenya: Thuku warns that this "unity" is a trap specifically for the Mountain region, which now finds itself in the awkward position of being the primary center of dissent within a "united" government.
• The Fear Factor: The narrative suggests that voting against the BBG is voting for the chaos of the past.

The Mt Kenya Dilemma

Thuku’s revelation strikes a nerve in the vote-rich Mt Kenya region, where political restlessness is palpable. He cautions that the region is being "gaslit" into believing they have no choice but to back the incumbent to remain relevant.

"A million of us in Mt Kenya tried to stop him in 2022, but you voted for him," Thuku reminded his audience, alluding to the region's overwhelming support for Ruto despite warnings from the previous administration. "Now, the narrative is being tweaked to ensure you stay in line, not out of love, but out of a lack of alternatives."

The lawyer’s comments come as Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s allies continue to cry foul over perceived sidelining, further complicating the President's "Unity" pitch. If the Mountain feels betrayed, the "Broad-Based" boat could rock violently.

The Bottom Line

For the average Kenyan, this shift in narrative changes the stakes. The 2022 election was about class (rich vs. poor). The 2027 election, if Thuku’s analysis holds, will be about compliance (insiders vs. outsiders).

As the political drums begin to beat for the next cycle, the question remains: Will Kenyans vote on the "unity" of the leaders at the top, or the reality of the economy at the bottom?

"The narrative has changed," Thuku concluded. "But the reality of the empty pocket remains the same."