As the debate over Mt Kenya region political direction drags on, Deputy President William Ruto was prepared long time ago on how to popularise his candidature come 2022.
In 2016, reports the Sunday Nation, Ruto told veteran politician John Keen before his death that he was optimistic that President Uhuru Kenyatta will support his bid despite the doubts.
"The President has publicly stated he’ll go for 10 years; then support you to go for your 10 years: Is the promise binding? And if so, do you see the Mount Kenya bloc voting for you just because Uhuru will tell them to do so?”
The DP answered also eyeball to eyeball: “I have no reason to think the President will renege on his promise. As for Mount Kenya vote, I won’t sit back to wait for automatic endorsement. When the time comes, I will go there myself and talk to the people. Of course, I will request and really appreciate that the President be with me when seeking support in his backyard.”
Last week, Jubilee Party Vice Chair David Murathe insisted that the party will not support Deputy President William Ruto, remarks which have attracted high level criticism and support in equal measure.
EALA member of parliament Maina Kamanda, another close ally of the president, on Friday insisted that Mt Kenya region will not back Ruto, adding that he should retire jointly with President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Though the president has remained calm about the matter, he has seemingly supported handshake that he brokered with opposite Leader Raila Odinga, a likely presidential candidate in 2022.