Deputy President William Ruto has already declared interest for the country's top seat and will need strong support.
For this reason, he might not campaign for any candidate in his backyard, Rift Valley, in the next general elections so as to sweep all votes.
This strategy is likely to be employed because the DP needs support from all candidates across political parties in his backyard to pose a strong challenge for the presidency and endorsing a candidate will possibly attract political opposers.
During 2017 Jubilee party nominations, some 'losers' claimed the whole exercise which was over-sighted by DP Ruto was not fair. They alleged that Ruto had some 'preferred candidates' for the party ticket. This created a rift between Ruto and the losers which he will not want to happen again as it will jeopardize his presidential bid.
I think the Deputy President also learnt during the previous election that every candidate can deliver his/her own votes. In his own constituency, for example, the Jubilee flag bearer Kevin Okwara was defeated by an Independent candidate Janet Sitienei who had lost in the Jubilee party nominations.
In Ainabkoi constituency, the case was no different, Independent contestant William Chepkut floored the favourite Jubilee flag bearer Samuel Chepkonga.
DP Ruto is likely to urge the candidates in his backyard to individually seek votes from the residents in 2022. He will be keen to maintain trust from all contestants so as to help him deliver votes for his presidential bid.
In the 2017 general elections, at least two Governors and 15 Members of Parliament who vied on an independent ticket turned the tables and defeated political heavyweights sponsored by their respective parties.
It will be a lesson to DP Ruto to note all contestants are capable of pulling a surprise and deliver dozens of votes to him. Therefore, campaigning for a certain candidate will be committing political suicide.
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