Kikuyu elders in the vast Rift Valley region have promised to support Deputy President William Ruto's presidential bid come 2022.
They have told their counterparts from the Central region not to poke their noses into matters of their region.
"Some council leaders from Central have been fighting us since we visited the Deputy President. Let them know we are living in harmony with the Kalenjin. Kikuyus from Rift Valley shall continue working with the Kalenjin community and supporting Dr Ruto,” said the chairman of the elders in Rift Valley, Kinyanjui Kamau.
The elder insisted that they are the ones who are most affected whenever clashes break out and so Kikuyu elders from the Central region should not interfere with their decisions.
He defended their visit to the native home of the DP in Sugoi during Christmas. They also pointed fingers at a section of politicians who allegedly misguided the Kikuyu elders from Central.
Speaking in Eldoret, Elder Kamau said that he will not stop supporting and dining with DP Ruto since it is an assurance of support in his presidential bid.
He further refuted the claims by Gikuyu Cultural Association that they misused the Gikuyu traditional regalia by giving it to leaders without following the cultural customs. The association had threatened to summon and punish those involved.
On the other hand, the elders Rift Valley coordinator, Bishop Paul Gathuo said that he will continue to mobilise the Kikuyus in Rift Valley to support DP Ruto. He criticised the Central elders for supporting Raila Odinga.
"We took mursik as they are saying.There is no abomination in drinking traditional milk with our brothers from the Kalenjin community. We know a section of elders from Central has declared support for Mr Odinga, but we in Rift Valley have chosen Dr Ruto as our 2022 candidate,” Gathuo said.