It is almost a foregone conclusion that Deputy President William Ruto will be the Jubilee Party presidential flagbearer come 2022 if the party remains intact to see the light of the next electoral cycle.
With that in mind, speculations are rife among many Jubilee Party supporters on who Ruto is likely to pick as his running mate ahead of August 8, 2022 general elections.
Majority speculate that the DP will pick his running mate from Mt Kenya region if he is to get undivided support from voters in this region who are notoriously known for only rallying behind their own presidential candidate.
That said, names of the likely running mates have started to be tossed around more so on social media platforms.
Among the individuals being mentioned around include former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo, Kirinyaga Governor Ann Waiguru, Muranga Governor Mwangi Wairia and Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria.
Well, the supporters of each of these four individuals have their own reasons as to why they think each of them is best placed to be Ruto's running mate. But can any of these four Mt Kenya bigwigs be Ruto's running mate?
The answer is a big No! Let's focus on each of them and see why.
1. William Kabogo
Kabogo is a respected politician in Mt Kenya region. His political influence goes beyond his Kiambu County home turf and there is no doubt about that!
However, the possibility of Kabogo being Ruto's running mate is close to nil. Kabogo having lost his Kiambu gubernatorial bid last year to a Kiambu County newcomer, Ferdinand Waititu, puts him at a precarious political position.
Ruto may, therefore, find it hard to trust Kabogo to bring him the Mt Kenya votes as a whole. Also, Kabogo has in the past shown a wavering support for Ruto's 2022 presidential bid. This makes Ruto simply not to trust him at all.
2. Mwangi Wairia
Truth be told, what political influence does Wairia wield beyond the confines of Muranga County where he is the current governor? If you get the answer to this question right, then you will know why Wairia can't be Ruto's running mate.
3. Ann Waiguru
She is popular in Central Kenya and beyond but unfortunately, it is widely for all the wrong reasons. Waiguru's scandalous tenure at the Devolution Ministry makes her more of a burden to Ruto than a resourceful running mate in terms of votes.
Do not forget that Ruto and Waiguru were earlier this year rated by a Synovate poll as the most corrupt people in Kenya. A presidential ticket between the two is simply unsellable.
4. Moses Kuria
There is no doubt that Kuria is influential in Central Kenya politics even than Governor Wairia. But if Ruto was to pick Kuria as his running mate in 2022, that would become the biggest joke we have heard of in many years.
Kuria comes from Uhuru's rural home which would make even other parts of Central Kenya reject that arrangement right from the start. Many would ask, is it only Gatundu or Kiambu that is capable of fronting national leaders for other parts of Central Kenya to rally behind?
That not withstanding, Kuria is simply a divisive figure on the national front that Ruto wouldn't risk to play 'pata-potea' with on his maiden presidential bid. Period!