The ongoing rift within Jubilee party may not be just about to end and could further escalate in coming days due to sharp ideological differences.
At a fundraiser in Baringo last week, Dr Ruto openly indicated that he's not just about to stop with his 2022 campaigns, contrary to President Uhuru Kenyatta's quest.
“Tomorrow's activities are always planned today,” said the DP in an apparent confession that he had already hit the campaign trail.
And the remarks continue to elicit sharp debate within Jubilee party, with both Tanga Tanga and Kieleweke teams going offensive against each other.
Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu claims that Ruto's remarks are total defiance to his boss, adding that the war may now get tough in coming days.
“The DP is clearly running his own agenda and show and has even warned against being stopped or distracted from his mission. While he has every right to lobby for the presidency, the weighty question is: Why is he campaigning against the wishes of his boss? Clearly there is a problem here,” he said.
But former minister Amukowa Anangwe believes that Dr Ruto's remarks may have been precipitated by the surrounding, adding that Baringo being his stronghold, he had to tell residents how prepared he is.
“He was in his backyard, and, hence, the temptation to chest-thump in order to inspire his supporters not to be discouraged by what his Kalenjin community detractors have been saying adversely against his presidential bid,” explains Prof Anangwe, who teaches political science at University of Dodoma, Tanzania.
For Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, Dr Ruto was quoted out of context, adding that the DP respects his boss and has been keen to support him.
“Right from the bottom his heart, the DP is a man who respects his boss and it is in his and our best interest to work with President Kenyatta and face the coming elections as a team with him,” says the youthful legislator.