Deputy President William Ruto apoears to be losing his influence ahead of his 2022 presidential bid, if the latest changes in the political landscape are anything to go by.
Apart from his widening rift with President Uhuru Kenyatta who has remained noncommittal on endorsing him as was earlier announced, the DP is also appearing to be having problems running his Rift Valley bedrock.
Initially, he was dealing with some rebellion from a number of influential politicians, including MPs Alfred Keter (Mandi Hills), Silas Tiren (Moiben) and Joshua Kuttuny (Cherangany).
However, the problem seems to be worsening and following him to his Uasin Gishu county bedrock.
Only two notable leaders in the county have been seen to openly associate with him lately, these being MPs Oscar Sudi (Kapseret) and Caleb Kositany (Soi).
On the other hand, Governor Jackson Mandago, Woman Rep Gladys Shollei and Senator Margaret Kamar have excused themselves from his team, with Mandago vowing to remain mum.
Shaken by the 2018 truce between President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition boss Raila Odinga, the Governor who was initially a known critic said that be is better off silent henceforth.
"I said many bad things about Raila Odinga last time but if I was to be invited to State House, what will I tell him if I find him there? Politics is not for the weak," Mandago recently said.
In Elgeyo Marakwet, Governor Alex Tolgos recently disowned the DP, saying that he is ready to work with anyone, including Ruto's rival and Baringo Senator Gideon Moi of the KANU party.
In Bomet, former Governor Isaac Rutto seems to have decided to once again pick his won oath even after his truce with the DP last year, and has not been seen walking with Ruto.
In Baringo, Moi and his KANU party seem very keen on scuttling the DP's plans, judging by the party Secretary General Nick Salat's latest remarks on his social media accounts.
Will the DP manage to regain his weakening influence? Only time will tell.