In what appears to be the change of tactic, Deputy President William Ruto no longer allows delegations to enter his political meetings with phones, it has emerged.
On Tuesday, Dr Ruto hosted a delegation from Kisii and Nyamira Counties separately, with each group ordered to leave phones in their vehicles before getting to the meeting.
A source, who attended the meeting, says that only official cameramen for the DP were allowed to take photos for management purposes.
Ruto, he adds, cautioned the members against posting on social media all details regarding the meeting, arguing that it wasn't necessary to do so.
"There were many police officers outside the gate. We were all ordered not to enter with phones. The security guys frisked us before we entered," he said in confidence.
"After he finished addressing us, he cautioned against posting of the photos on social media. Only his team was taking photos that's why you haven't seen many of us circulating them."
Nyamira delegation was led by MPs Shadrack Mose, Joash Nyamoko and Vincent Kemosi. Deputy Governor for Kisii Joash Maangi headed there Kisii delegation.
Dr Ruto has zoned Gusii region as battleground in 2022 polls and he's determined to win the region. For a decade, ODM leader Raila Odinga has always won in the region.
So secretive was the meeting that detailed only emerged when a section of youths clashed over the money they were given, with Nyamira team bashing their leader for failing to articulate certain issues during the meeting.
Mr Chris Ruba who represented the delegation, accused his colleagues of simplicity, arguing that they never wanted to address serious issues.
"It’s such a pity that Youths can decide to soil a person’s repute simply because he did not request for data bundles on their behalf. Of importance is articulating the issue of ballooning unemployment than petty issues like data bundles," he said.
"For the record I requested for more employment opportunities for fellow youths, a boost on low and medium businesses run by youths and empowering the TVETS even further to accommodate a huge chunk of non skilled youths for a formidable Labour Force," he said.
He added: "If addressing that is way unnecessary compared to data bundles then apologies to the aggrieved party. But that’s nonsensical and could have painted a very bad picture of our youths before the host."
One source who spoke in confidence said that the DP gave Sh5,000 to all those who attended the meeting. He promised to visit Nyamira again to fundraise for Bodaboda groups and other registered entities.
"This guy is really planning and his competitors must be careful. He actually gave everyone of us Sh5,000. He said that he will be coming to Nyamira frequently to support youth groups," he said.