A section of Jubilee politicians from the larger Meru region has insisted that President Uhuru Kenyatta must honour his pledge to back his deputy William Ruto in his 2022 presidential bid.
Led by Meru Deputy Governor Titus Ntuchiu, the leaders said Ruto had been loyal to his boss and therefore he must be given all the support to take over power in the next election.
Ntuchiu endorsed the famous March 9 handshake between Uhuru and opposition leader Raila Odinga but warned it should not be used to sideline Ruto and wreck his ambition.
"We support the handshake but it should not disrupt the plans within Jubilee. When we voted for President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2013, we were told that his deputy would take over from 2022," the deputy governor said
He spoke on Saturday when the DP toured the area to launch the construction of Kianjuri, Thangatha and Ura 4 dams.
Speaking at the same event, Imenti North MP Rahim Dawood said Ruto deserves to inherit Uhuru since he had proved to be equal to task and pledged to rally all votes in Meru region behind the DP.
"Ruto’s work can be seen here in Meru and this is why we will reciprocate when the time comes. The Jubilee Party is united and we are sure that Mr Ruto is the flag-bearer in 2022," Dawood said.