Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria now says he will beat Deputy President William Ruto 'hands down' should the two meet in ballot any time in future.
Mr Kuria announced his presidential bid on Citizen TV on Wednesday, adding that he's confident of clinching the seat when Kenya goes for the presidential election in 2022 polls.
"He will come close second to me. He (Ruto) cannot beat me and that's an assurance. He is a strong candidate though but I am also not scared at all to face him," held Kuria.
Previously, Kuria has been a staunch supporter of the DP Ruto's candidature but his U-turn may have caught many Kenyans by surprise.
Asked whether he will be able to run highly financed campaigns, Kuria insisted that the people of Kenya will judge him based on his previous track record as a Member of Parliament.
"The campaigns won't be easy but I'll be judged based on my track record. I will beat my opponents hands down and that is a guarantee," he said.
On Mt Kenya politics, Kuria dismissed the notion that President Uhuru Kenyatta is the de facto leader, adding that the president is not a community leader.
DP Ruto is one of the front-runners for the 2022 polls and in an interview with Hard Talk Show, BBC, he insisted that only President Uhuru Kenyatta can sabotage his presidential ambitions.