Deputy President William Ruto suffered an immense blow on Friday following the decision by Nyamira Woman Representative Jerusha Momanyi to decamp from his team.
For the better part of 2018, Mrs Momanyi, a Jubilee MP, was one of key proponents of DP William Ruto's campaigns within Nyamira region.
In May, the first term MP was among leaders who declared support for DP William Ruto who had attended various functions in the region.
But last month, she was conspicuously missing from the DP's function in the same region. Another MP, Ben Momanyi of Borabu, had also ditched Ruto's team.
At a meeting on Friday, Mrs Momanyi said she's will be supporting Dr Fred Matiang'i, adding that time had come to support the seasoned minister for the top seat.
"I want to assure today that I'll be supporting Dr Matiang'i for the top seat. He has proved to us that he is working. That's all we need," she said.
"As a community, we need to support one of our own. Let those other communities also support us. We shall produce the first Kisii President in the name of Matiang'i," she added.
Dr Matiang'i is currently mobilising Gusii leaders to back him and on Saturday, he is understood to have sponsored a meeting in which over 25 leaders attended in Borabu.
Mrs Momanyi's exit from Tangatanga troops means only North Mugirango MP Joash Nyamoko, Vincent Kemosi of West Mugirango and Kitutu Masaba's Shadrack Mose are backing Ruto.
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