The sprint towards the 2022 election finish-line is on and politicians are busy re-aligning themselves for Kenya's expected highly contested general election.
Among those set to run for the presidency is Deputy President William Ruto who is keen on succeeding President Uhuru Kenyatta after the poll.
But what are the chances that he makes a competitive contender for the election?
The DP has been busy crisscrossing the country forging alliances with like-minded leaders and among politicians he has been closely working with are those from Coast and Western regions.
The last visit the DP made in Coast was on July 7 when he launched development projects in Kisauni constituency courtesy of area MP Ali Mbogo (Wiper).
Besides, he has been working closely with other Coast MPs including outspoken Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa who is a close ally of opposition chief Raila Odinga.
In Western, Ruto has successfully netted Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetangula who has already indicated that he will back the DP's 2022 State House bid.
Ruto has also been warming up to ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi and a host of MPs from the vote-rich region.
If he succeeds bagging support from these two regions, the DP would be good to go without Central Kenya in 2022 since he already has magical support in his Rift Valley backyard.
Coast and Western are among regions with the highest number of registered voters.
So in case Mt Kenya betrays him and backs someone else for the presidency, Ruto would be comfortable campaigning in other regions where he would be optimistic he would garner more votes.