Leaders allied to Deputy President William Ruto are determined to ensure opposition chief Raila Odinga never tastes the presidency in Kenya.
The leaders have hatched a plan that entails rolling out activities which will involve conducting cut-throat campaigns against the former prime minister who claims indicate may contest for the presidency in 2022 against Ruto.
The DP's allies see Raila as a great threat to Ruto's State House bid and are out to frustrate the former Langata MP's campaign machinery as he plans to take his fifth stab at the presidency.
The leaders who spoke to local Swahili newspaper Taifa Leo on Wednesday gave Ruto all the confidence that they will triumph against Raila, a man who many Kenyans know as a clever political schemer and democrat.
The plan, according to Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, will involve picking specific leaders from all regions in the country to conduct campaigns for the DP.
The regional leaders' activities will be coordinated at a central campaign secretariat that is yet to be established in the city.
"We have not yet begun Ruto's proper campaigns," Murkomen said.
"But we are prepared for him (Raila)."
Among Rift Valley leaders said to be at the centre of the scheme include MPs Caleb Kositany (Soy), his Baringo South counterpart Daniel Rono as well as Kapseret's Oscar Sudi.
It emerged on Wednesday that Raila is actually headed to the ballot again in 2022.
Siaya Senator James Orengo hinted that the ODM party is re-branding Raila in preparation for the poll.
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