A section of Deputy President William Ruto's supporters in Uasin Gishu has expressed its displeasure with the meeting between opposition chief Raila Odinga and Baringo Senator Gideon Moi.
This comes after the duo held a four-hour private meeting in Nairobi on Tuesday.
Sources privy to the meeting revealed that the two leaders discussed among other things, the fight against corruption, the Big Four Agenda as well as the state of the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila.
The meeting, however, seemed to have irked the DP's supporters, some of whom argue that Moi is seeking to scuttle Ruto's chances of ascending to the presidency in 2022.
“As Ruto's ardent supporters, we are definitely not comfortable with Tuesday's private talks. One doesn’t need a microscope to note that Raila has not been in the same political matrix with Ruto in the last two general elections," said John Kimaru, a Kapseret resident.
Kimaru argued that Moi could be using Raila to build his national profile as well as woo voters in Rift Valley region so as to counter the DP's presidential bid come 2022.
“The DP’s home turf could split its votes in the 2022 polls should Gideon Moi publicly declare interest in the country's top seat," he added.
On his part, Hillary Maiyo argued that the two could be plotting to form an alliance following calls to amend the constitution to create more political positions, including the re-introduction of the prime minister post.
“Raila and Moi have been singing a different tune from the DP on the referendum issue. They want to push for constitutional reforms to create more political positions, something the DP has openly dismissed severally," said Maiyo.
Agnes Scholei, a political activist in Eldoret town argued that should Moi and Raila unite ahead of the upcoming polls, the move would divide voters in Rift Valley.
“We feel that it could pose a blow to the DP’s presidential ambition because Gideon Moi commands a notable fan base in Rift Valley," said Scholei.
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