President William Ruto's chief economic advisor, David Ndii, sparked online debate Thursday by framing Kenyan politics as a battlefield where yesterday's enemies become today's comrades.
Responding to a viral X clip of Ruto accusing Hassan Omar of ICC witness tampering, Ndii urged Kenyans to see beyond personal grudges.
The exchange revives a decade-old rift now bridged by UDA party loyalty.The 2011 footage, from a Jeff Koinange interview, captures then-MP Ruto blasting Omar, vice-chair of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, for allegedly bribing and coaching six witnesses to frame him in The Hague.
Ruto, facing charges over 2007 post-election violence as part of the Ocampo Six, claimed Omar promised the witnesses relocation abroad.
The International Criminal Court later dropped cases against Ruto and others amid witness withdrawals and alleged intimidation.
Omar, a Mombasa-based lawyer and former opposition figure, joined Ruto's United Democratic Alliance in 2022 as deputy secretary general before rising to the top post.
Their alliance solidified after Ruto's 2022 victory, with Omar defending the president's economic policies and party unity. Yet the old clip, shared Tuesday by X user.
"This is Eldoret North MP William Ruto on the bench with Jeff Koinange calling out KNCHR Chair Omar Hassan for coaching witnesses in order to frame him & the other Ocampo 6," the user posted alongside the video.
"William Ruto is now the President of Kenya & Omar Hassan is the SG of the Ruto's party UDA."
Ndii, known for his sharp economic analyses, replied with philosophical calm.
"Politics and public affairs generally are not personal. Soldiers fight and kill each other for their countries, off the battlefield they are not enemies. Whenever you are fighting for your current formation, remember the political players have no sides, only interests," Ndii stated.