Supporters of President Uhuru Kenyatta in Rift Valley region do not owe deputy president William Ruto any politician debt, ODM leader Raila Odinga has said.
Mr Kenyatta joined hands with Dr Ruto in 2012 and the two have managed to win three presidential polls, beating Mr Odinga both in 2013 and 2017 edition.
And in return, DP Ruto's backers among them Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri have asked voters of Mt Kenya origin from Rift Valley to reciprocate similar support to Dr Ruto, a move which Raila refutes.
On Saturday at Bondo, Mr Odinga said Rift Valley voters loyal to President Uhuru Kenyatta should not be coerced to back Ruto, adding that they were not present when Uhuru and Ruto were striking deal.
"Now we have a situation of a Shylock of Kenyans. So we have been told we agreed, so you must pay, if you don't pay there will be trouble, you will pay by blood," said the ODM leader.
"We won't allow some Kenyans to threaten others here because we were not there when you were signing agreements. We were not there. You can't go and make an agreement on the heads of all Kenyans who were not involved," he stated.“
Delegation leader Njenga Mungai lauded Mr Odinga's partnership with President Uhuru Kenyatta, adding that the ODM leader had shown leadership in all aspects thus should be considered in 2022.
The politics of who should take over doesn't apply anymore. Give it to whoever has shown ability; Raila has proved himself. When the time comes we shall move and tell the people,” he said.
Political rivalry between Mr Odinga and Ruto has intensified in recent weeks, with both camps firing missiles against each other. The two could face off in President Uhuru Kenyatta's succession race in 2022.