The recent exit of Zedekiah Bundotich alias Buzeki from DP William Ruto's camp famously known as Tanga Tanga paints a nasty picture of restlessness in the latter's political grip in his Uasin Gishu County.
With only Soy MP Caleb Kositany and Kapsaret counterpart Oscar Sudi rallying behind Tanga Tanga team, almost all elected leaders have either disowned the camp or have decided to take a back seat.
Governor Jackson Mandago and Senator Margaret Kamar have not been seen in public rallying for Ruto, despite having been linked to the camp earlier on. Moiben MP Silas Tiren has openly differed with Ruto over maize farmers predicaments.
They have lately been joined by County Woman Representative Gladys Shollei, MPs William Chepkut (Ainabkoi), Janet Sitienei (Turbo), and Swarup Mishra (Kesses).
“You will never see me in Tanga Tanga or Kieleweke movements’ functions. This is because I believe in development and not politics. That's why you don't see me moving around with them," said Ms Shollei recently.
Earlier this year, Mandago had some reconciliatory time to ODM leader Raila Odinga, an indication that he supports the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and the ODM boss.
"I said many bad things about Raila Odinga last time but if I was to be invited to State House, what will I tell him if I find him there? Politics is not for the weak," he said in reference to the elevated status of Mr Odinga in government since his handshake with the President in March last year.
Earlier this week, Elgeyo-Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos decamped to KANU although he did not openly say do. He accused Tanga Tanga team of insulting him often when he's focused on serious matters.
“I do not want anything to do with Kieleweke or Tanga Tanga. I will not join either. I will work with everyone including Mr Moi, who is respectful and does things the way I do,” Mr Tolgos said.
But Mr Kositany, a former aide to DP Ruto, insists that all is well at the DP's stronghold. He insists the country's second in command is accessible contrary to complaints from his critics.
“This is a very cheap way of doing things. The DP is very accessible. Nobody has been blocked from seeing him,” Mr Kositany, a former aide of Dr Ruto, told the Sunday Nation on phone.