Deputy President William Ruto descended on Garissa County this week and was warmly welcomed by local leaders among the Garissa Township Member of Parliament Aden Duale.
The visit, though framed as a development visit, was clearly a political one as the country's second-in-command seeks numbers ahead of 2022.
DP Ruto knows that to ascend to the presidency he will need the votes of the greater North Eastern region.
Wajir, Marsabit, Isiolo, and Garissa counties could be the difference between Ruto becoming president or not.
Duale as the titular head of the region is the best man to lead Ruto's charge for votes.
Duale himself is on record saying that he will fight to make him the president.
The region has long voted for opposition leader Raila Odinga but in 2017 it voted overwhelmingly for the ruling Jubilee Party.
A majority of the governors are from the governing Jubilee Party including Garissa County Governor Ali Bunow Korane.
If the Deputy President can garner the votes of the Somalis, his ascent to the presidency will be almost assured.
Duale task will be to ensure that the love that Somalis had for Jubilee in 2017 does not erode come 2022.
During his tour of Garissa, DP Ruto pledged to develop the North Eastern region.
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