With over 5 million votes up for grabs, Mount Kenya region holds the key to the State House as far next general elections are concerned.
A traditional backyard of President Uhuru Kenyatta, the region has of late been at the centre of 2022 politics with Deputy President William Ruto showing an insatiable appetite to swing the region in his favour to springboard his State House bid.
However, politicians supporting the President and opposing Dr Ruto, have never left anything to chance. They too have traversed the vote-rich mountain trying to ring-fence it from Ruto's encroachment. But going by the happenings, the DP could be about to edge out his boss in the battle for numbers.
With Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, Gatundu South lawmaker Moses Kuria, Kandara legislator Alice Wahome and Maathira's Rigathi Gachagua as his men on the ground, the DP has some of the most effective mobilizers. But can they deliver the votes come 2022? Most likely.
With the 2012 pre-election deal between Uhuru and Ruto as their reference point, the pro-DP politicians want the region to "pay their political debts" come 2022 by supporting Ruto. However, the President could be having different plans.
At one point, he declared that his choice of a presidential candidate come the next general election might shock many. Then, he declared that only God knows who becomes the next President.
With ODM leader Raila Odinga in the picture, Ruto's mount Kenya backers have sensed some "danger" ahead. Now, they have decided to take Raila head-on.
Previously while attending a function in his Kiambu backyard, the visibly angry Uhuru read riot to the pro-Ruto camp, accusing them of unnecessary politicking. But since that event, nothing has changed. The said MPs have intensified their activities to popularize the DP in Central.
With 2020 fast-approaching, it remains to be seen how the President will manage the politics of succession in his backyard.
#hivisasaoriginal