Rift Valley is among regions in Kenya where presidential candidates in 2022 will keep their eyes on as the scramble for votes ahead of the poll continues.

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Although many believe Rift Valley is fully locked under Deputy President William Ruto, there are chances that opposition leader Raila Odinga may actually scoop a sizable number of votes in the agriculturally-rich region.

There are three counties in Rift Valley where Raila can garner more votes than the DP despite Ruto coming from there. They are as listed below;

1. Turkana

Raila has over the years managed to control Turkana zone and going by the voting patterns of 2007, 2013 and 2017, Raila had a commanding lead in the oil-rich county. 

The county is also led by Governor Josephat Nanok (ODM) who has for long been a close ally of Raila.

Nanok, outwitted the Jubilee campaign machinery in 2013 and 2017 to ensure Raila got majority votes in the county and this may as well play out in 2022.

2. Narok

This county is inhabited by members of the Maasai community. 

Although President Uhuru Kenyatta received more votes in the county in 2013 and 2017, Raila, if he works out his mathematics well may trounce Jubilee in the region this time around. 

There is currently the Mau Forest illegal occupation issue which is slowly eating up Jubilee's support in Narok.

Members of the Maasai community believe the Kalenjin with the help of Ruto have invaded part of the forest in Narok and are so bitter about it. 

This development has the potential of denying Ruto votes in Narok.

3. Kajiado

Just like Narok, Kajiado is mainly a Maasai-dominated county. 

What is likely to happen in Narok will out-rightly play out in Kajiado. 

If the Maasai in Narok denies Ruto votes because of his decision to 'protect' the Kalenjin in Mau Forest, the Maasai in Kajiado may as well protest against Jubilee and the DP and decide to give Raila votes.

There are also leaders from both Kajiado and Narok who have taken the Mau settlement and eviction issue so seriously that they have already begun de-campaigning Ruto in the two counties. 

They include Narok North MP Moitalel Ole Kenta and Naron Senator Ledama Ole Kina.

These arguments are based on the assumption that both Raila and Ruto will be on the ballot in 2022.