As the debate on whether Mt Kenya voters actually have a political debt to pay to DP William Ruto in 2022 or not gains momentum, all is not lost.
The fact that there are some 'good-hearted' leaders like Moses Kuria, Kimani Ichungwa, Governor Mwangi Wairia among others who in their words are 'ready to die' for Ruto, shows that he can still count on this block of voters known from time immemorial not to vote one who is not their own.
Nevertheless, it will not be easy for Ruto even with this 'Tangatanga battalion', as the majority of these leaders have little influence beyond where they were elected.
And as he will realize sooner than later, he needs more than the 'Tangatanga battalion' to make headway in Mt Kenya. Here are some of the Mt Kenya political heavyweights that Ruto can't afford to ignore in his 2022 presidential bid.
1. William Kabogo: He is the former Kiambu Governor who once told Ruto that he should not rest thinking that Mt Kenya will support him automatically as in Kabogo's words 'must merit it'.
Kabogo was lauded and criticized in equal measures. But that simple statement was enough to caution Ruto against shelving some wild expectations pertaining the Mt Kenya vote
2. Peter Kenneth: Though in the past two elections Peter Kenneth seems to have cast his dice wrongly, you cannot put him out of the picture especially after the exit of Uhuru.
He is a potential successor of Uhuru as the Kikuyu kingpin as he is acceptable beyond the tribal block.
3. Kabando Wa Kabando: The former Mukuruweini MP may have been rejected by his constituents last year, but beyond Mukuruweini he is widely respected and revered by other Kikuyus who take him as 'njamba' (hero).
4. Peter Munya: As the Meru community loyalty towards their ageing kingpin Kiraitu Murungi whom they accuse of auctioning them election after election to Kikuyus for 'tokens' fades, Munya's day-star continues to shine brighter.
President Uhuru Kenyatta's recent move to redeploy him to the more influential Industrialisation ministry from East Africa Community docket was an affirmation of the trust he has in him.
Munya is already warming up to take over Meru community leadership upon Kiraitu's exit and maybe the man Ruto may go to beg for allegiance.
#hivisasaoriginal