Despite his frequent tours to the vast Mt Kenya region, Deputy President William Ruto has an uphill task given the resistance which is said to be organised and sophisticated.
While team Kieleweke has openly come out to oppose his 2022 presidential bid, there seems to be a group of powerful individuals escalating Anti-Ruto campaigns in the region.
On Friday, the mysterious group is said to have used over Sh10 million to bring together Kikuyu Council of Elders from the region and beyond, who convened in Nyeri where they openly castigated Dr Ruto.
During the meeting, Pro-Ruto allies from the region among them Ferdinand Waititu, Kimani Ichungwah, Rigathi Gachagua and Ndindi Nyoro were repremanded for allegedly 'auctioning the community without consulting elders'.
Chairman Wachira Kiago fired the opening salvo: “We love peace, but our silence should not be taken for granted. The community will not bow to intimidation and threats. This is the message we are sending today and we will be taking around the country.”
In a more lethal attack, the council's Secretary General Peter Munga accused Dr Ruto of allegedly playing petty politics, arguing that he's leading premature campaigns.
“The DP has been playing petty politics meant to undermine the President and divide Central Kenya, despite the Head of State telling politicians to stop early campaigns,” said Munga as quoted by the Standard.
But Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua has since accused the elders of blackmail, insisting that President Uhuru Kenyatta is yet to come out to rebuke Dr Ruto.
“Then, who has sent these people? The President has not publicly told us to stop supporting his deputy. He has also not told us he is being disrespected. Who are they to complain on his behalf?” Posed Mr Gachagua.
It's not yet clear who these financiers are and their main reason behind the crusade. However, Mt Kenya region still remains shaky ahead of Uhuru's exit.