The battle to control Western region will be renewed this weekend as Deputy President William Ruto returns to the region, barely a fortnight after visiting.
On Wednesday, ODM leader Raila Odinga, who has traditionally enjoyed support from the region, hosted three MPs from Busia County.
The meeting came amid increasing trips of the DP to the populous region, which is also likely to have Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetangula on ballot as presidential candidates.
"H.E Raila Odinga in a meeting with ODM Members of Parliament from Busia County at Capitol Hill among them is Budalangi MP Raphael Wanjala, Butula MP Joseph H. Oyula, Matayos MP Geoffrey Odanga," an aide wrote.
On Saturday, Dr Ruto will tour Funyula constituency, which is found in Busia County. The county is under Raila's former aide Sospeter Ojaamong.
Mr Ojaamong, Governors Wilberforce Otchillo and Wycliffe Oparanya of Vihiga and Kakamega respectively, have often backed Raila.
On Sunday, Dr Ruto, who will be in Kitui today (Friday), will return to Vihiga County, a region he barely visited two weeks ago. His strategists argue that he has zoned Western Kenya as tossup.
“Depending on how we mapped out the country, we have distinctive teams charged with areas of focus. The aim is to realise targeted messaging and to cover as much ground as possible in our development tours,” former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, now a key Ruto ally from Western, said.
Currently, Dr Ruto depends on coordination of Dr Khalwale, Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka and Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali in the region. Also, former Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa is among team leaders.
Despite Musalia Mudavadi's decision to run in 2013, Raila Odinga, who is yet to declare 2022 bid, won majority votes from the region. He also won in 2007 and 2017.