Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i has thrown his political competitors off-balance, with some struggling to predict his moves.
So secretive is his campaign that he has sent jitters among Kisii and Nyamira politicians jostling for gubernatorial posts.
An insider says that Matiang'i has banked on the church, teachers and professionals to reach Gusii people, even though he's not yet ready to declare the preferred county.
"He is working closely with teachers and church leaders besides the local administrators. His campaigns are simple but complex in nature.
"I can assure you he's yet to chose between Nyamira and Kisii, even though he is eligible to go for any of the two," said the insider.
While his parents were born in South Mugirango, Kisii, Matiang'i was born and raised in Nyamira, where he's a registered voter.
Over the weekends, Matiang'i rarely misses fundraisers in churches and last Saturday, he told worshippers at Sironga that leadership comes from God.
"I hear people talking a lot about leadership positions. What I am sure, it's God who makes such plans," he said, yet again snubbing succession debate.
Both Governor John Nyagarama (Nyamira) and James Ongwae (Kisii) will be retiring in 2022 and the race for their succession has intensified.
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