The battle to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta once he retires in 2022 is heating up. His deputy William Ruto has made it clear that he will be going for the top seat in the next polls.

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This, therefore, means that Ruto will need a running mate who will, in turn, be Kenya's next Deputy President (DP) should the latter win the presidential polls in the next general election.

Whereas there are a number of politicians the DP can select as his running mate, Kikuyu Member of Parliament Kimani Ichung'wa could be the most probable to get the nod owing to his closeness to Ruto.

Over the past few months, Ichung'wa has emerged as a key ally of Ruto and firm defender of the DP and his 2022 presidential ambitions.

The youthful MP is always on the DP's entourage attending functions across the country. 

When Ruto came under sharp criticism from a section of Central Kenya leaders, Ichung'wa was among the few who stood with the former Eldoret North MP.

The relationship between the two is unquestionable. During the 2017 presidential debate, the Deputy President missed the contest only to send Ichung'wa to appear on his behalf.

This meant that the two shared similar ideologies, a thing that may propel them into working closely together in future.

Although 2022 is still far away, and a lot may change over the remaining years, the close relationship between the duo may be an indication that the DP is nurturing the youthful MP into being Kenya's next number two.

However, this will only be possible if Ruto vies for the presidency and emerges victorious.

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