Saturday marked the tenth visit by the Deputy President William Ruto to the vast Gusii region in a bid to cement support from among 1.3 million voters.
A week before, Ruto traversed parts of Nyamira before hosting a fund raiser at Nyabururu Parish in Kisii town, with his message grounded around 2022 succession battle.
But his trips have raised eyebrows following the conspicuous absence of Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, a de facto leader in making of Abagusii community.
Early this year, Matiang'i hosted Ruto in a couple of functions before March 9th handshake and a section of leaders led by Senator Millicent Omanga and MP Sylvanus Osoro pushing for his bid to deputise Ruto.
But since then, the powerful minister has snubbed Ruto's functions with sources intimating that he's under instructions from the president.
Also missing is Solicitor General Ken Ogeto, a Jubilee ground mobiliser who played an integral role in Jubilee victory last year.
Mr Ogeto has often snubbed Ruto's trips in his Nyamira backyard even when he's at home. Sources also claim that he's in the faction that strongly backs handshake.
For Charles Nyachae, a man who hardly missed Jubilee events last year, is about the question whether he even thinks Ruto's presidency bis viable.
Nominated as a judge to EAC, Nyachae is usually around his home in Kisii or Nairobi over the weekends. However, he is yet to accompany Ruto to any function in Kisii.
The DP is now heavily relying on Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi, youthful politician Antony Kibagendi and a host of MPs some quite unpredictable as the race for Gusii community votes intensifies.
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