Powerful Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i may have after all ditched Deputy President William Ruto's camp, an MP has revealed.
Activities launched by a section of Gusii MPs pushing for running mate quest in 2022 have dwindled with the minister reducing his presence in the larger Kisii and Nyamira region.
"We are pushing for Matiang'i to be DP. As Gusii people, we are now at the map and Matiang'i is capable of deputising Ruto," South Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro had said.
Throughout his trips in the region, Matiang'i had however remained tight lipped about his political future.
But the Nyamira MP, who spoke in confidence, said that the powerful minister may have been distracted by feuds within Jubilee's top leadership.
"He owes his allegiance to the president and the divisions within the party makes him remain loyal to the other side.
"He has little options other than reducing his presence in Ruto's events. I am even told that he is even under instructions to completely focus on president's agenda," he said.
Cracks in Jubilee party have intensified with both Uhuru and Ruto said to have secretly met last Friday to iron out the contentious issues.
But Brian Mamboleo, a close confidant of Matiang'i, said the minister's absence from the ground is due to his 'involving' duties.
"That is not true because the minister is serving Kenyans. His docket is so involving that sometimes he can't make it to all functions."