Despite labelling it as Chama Cha Mashimoni, Deputy President William Ruto had reportedly taken over the CCM party which is widely associated with ex-Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto.
The latest development is a culmination of underground deals that would also lead to appointment of Isaac Ruto to cabinet in few weeks time, an insider says.
"In politics you must have a strategy and that's why DP Ruto saw it necessary to absorb the party and subsequently lobby for Isaac's cabinet appointment which is due soon.
"The management will remain the same but the party will intensify activities so that incase the Jubilee plan backfires in 2022, it will be easier for him to get the CCM party," said the source.
In 2012, Ruto almost went without a party after UDM party abandoned him, forcing him to quickly form defunct URP which was folded in 2017.
And Isaac Ruto, who met the DP in Bomet on Sunday, will officially become DP's right hand man in Rift Valley where he's expected to ruffle feathers with Jubilee rebels led by Alfred Keter and Kanu's Gideon Moi.
"Isaac is now becoming a chief campaigner. You'll see him holding several activities at the Rift Valley. The impending appointment to cabinet will boost him in his new roles."
Ruto's ally Patrick Osero could neither accept or deny, only saying that Ruto is 'strategic' and that 'more' is set to come.
CCM backed Raila Odinga's bid in 2017 but Ruto bowed out of NASA coalition after the polls. It enjoys massive support in South Rift.
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