Members of Parliament allied to Deputy President William Ruto have kicked off a campaign that may see two men allied to President Uhuru Kenyatta thrown out of Jubilee Party before the 2022 general election.
According to local Swahili newspaper Taifa Leo, Ruto's allies believe Jubilee Party Secretary-General Raphael Tuju and party Chairman David Murathe are out to frustrate Ruto's 2022 presidential bid. The MPs have vowed to ensure the two are kicked out of the party within the shortest time possible.
"We are not ready to work with our political 'enemies'," Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei was quoted by a local daily on Monday as saying.
Rift Valley leaders who have been at the forefront campaigning for Ruto include Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi among others. They are determined to fight tooth and nail to ensure Ruto succeeds Uhuru in 2022.
Ruto is presently facing an uphill task to succeed Uhuru as he is facing momentous resistance from a section of leaders from Mt Kenya region where Uhuru comes from.
Ruto, it was reported last month is expected to start chairing a series of meetings in his Rift Valley backyard as he bolsters his support base ahead of 2022. He is confident of succeeding Uhuru.
"I am very close to that seat. Just help push me a little bit so that I get there," the DP said on Saturday in Kakamega.