Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang'i's influence in Gusii region is no longer being taken for granted at Kisii and Nyamira Counties, DP William Ruto's allies have confessed.
In July, Matiang'i made two maiden trips to the expansive region, pledging to complete development projects that have stalled for a long time.
While Dr Matiang'i has remained mum about his bid, former Kitutu Masaba MP Mwancha Okioma said they are keen to have him going for the top seat.
"The minister is reviving some of projects which stalled immediately we left office. We shall stand with him until he takes over. We shall talk to our friends," Okioma said on Friday.
But Dr Ruto's allies have launched a coordinated campaign, potraying Matiang'i as one of people who is yet to deliver on anything. They want him to come with new projects.
West Mugirango MP Vincent Kemosi says most of projects which Dr Matiang'i wants to ride on were factored into the budget by MPs who are pro-Ruto.
"He is yet to launch any mega project. We shall move around and tell our people the truth. Let him try to launch new ones. We can't allow him to lie," he said over the weekend.
And to tame the minister, MPs allied to DP Ruto are now coordinating joint campaigns across the two counties to make his presence felt.
Further, they are working on mega projects with the aid of Dr Ruto, a move that will see them launch on a later date in the presence of the DP. They are intending to use the fact that Matiang'i does not have a budget to reach across the country.
#hivisasaoriginal