The race for Jubilee party running mate has heightened as Deputy President William Ruto faces a dilemma to pick best from among those fronted.
While 2022 race is quite far, Ruto seemed to have kicked off campaigns as he remains optimistic to succeed president Uhuru Kenyatta.
In his weekend tour in Mt. Kenya, two candidates were backed from the region, which is surprisingly divided into two- East and Central.
"In Murang'a, we must be given chance to produce second top most man in the country. We have able leaders," said Senator Irungu Kanga'ta, who openly backed area Governor Mwangi wa Iria.
From Mt. Kenya East, leaders have openly backed Peter Munya while some settling on Senate Deputy Speaker Kindiki Kithure.
So vicious is the race that the Eastern Mt. Kenya region has accused their Central counterparts of shortchanging them since independence.
"The DP is our 2022 presidential candidate and the Mt. Kenya East people stand a good chance of fielding a running mate," said Kindiki.
But Kirinyaga County has also waded into the debate with assembly Majority Leader Kamau Mulango now pushing for Ann Waiguru's chance in Ruto's matrix.
"She is a woman with experience in civil service and politics. She has served in cabinet and now governor."
Another likely candidate for the position is Moses Wetangula whose love for Raila Odinga has faded.
Recently, MPs allied to him met Ruto at his Karen home even if he has persistently denied any links to the DP.
The DP could be in a limbo as he seeks to balance region besides rewarding loyalty as 2022 approaches fast.