Deputy President William Ruto insists that those hoping to divide him with President Uhuru Kenyatta would not find it easy, adding that he is aware of toxic politics.
For months now, Uhuru's relationship with Ruto has been rocky, although the two have never expressed it in public. Their allies have been trading with barbs, an indication that all is not well.
At Molo on Sunday, Ruto warned his critics, arguing that they should establish national political parties before engaging him. He said that he'd ready to face his competitors without any pressure.
“I ask those seeking to compete with us to put their house in order, make their parties national, and then face us. We are ready. We know where we’ve come from, where we are, and where we’re heading. Petty politics will not divide the President and I,” he said.
“We’re not going to be taken back to the archaic political regime of ethnicity and hate,” Mr Ruto said during a prayer service in Molo.
During the function, his allies accused Baringo Senator Gideon Moi of being used to break Kalenjin votes, but insisted Ruto remains the favourite.
The two have been embroiled in tough political wars with Moi reportedly blocking Ruto from mourning with his family after the death of his brother, Jonathan Moi last week.
“Rift Valley is fully behind Mr Ruto and any person opposing him is an imposter,” the Kuresoi South MP Joseph Tunoi said. “Mr Ruto is just a stone’s throw away from the highest office.”
ODM leader Raila Odinga has often criticised Ruto, with the DP accusing him of spearheading toxic politics. Mr Odinga is reportedly keen to contest in 2022.