Nyeri Town Member of Parliament Ngunjiri Wambugu has said that Deputy President William Ruto is not as popular in the Mt Kenya region as he would want to believe.
Wambugu said that Ruto is only enjoying support in the populous region since he is close to the region's kingpin, President Uhuru Kenyatta, arguing that he has no support as an individual.
Speaking on Sunday, the lawmaker said that the same will be demonstrated to him openly the day he goes there in search of votes without Uhuru's blessings.
He said that it is then when Ruto will realise that he only enjoys support from the region because he is working with President Uhuru, who has rallied the region behind him.
"Uhuru Kenyatta sold Ruto to us. The day he will vie in Mt Kenya as an individual is when he will realise that he is popular in the region because of the president," he said.
The youthful first-time parliamentarian made the remarks on K24's Punchline show on Sunday night where he also stated that Mt Kenya remains fully behind Uhuru.
The vocal MP said that whoever Uhuru endorses for the presidency, even if it is former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka or Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua, will receive the region's support.
"William Ruto is popular in Mt Kenya because he is the Deputy President of Kenya. The person who sold Ruto to us was Uhuru Kenyatta. If Uhuru picks Kalonzo or Mutua, we will buy," he added.
His remarks come at a time when the DP appears to be wooing leaders from the region, some of whom have been defending him from attacks by critics.