Leaders from East Mt Kenya region have heaped more pressure on Deputy President William Ruto to pick a leader from the region as his running mate in the 2022 general elections.
Similar remarks were again made by leaders who attended a fundraiser at the St Mathews Mariene AIPCA church Imenti Central, Meru County on Sunday.
Leaders drawn from Tharaka Nithi and Meru Counties demanded that the elevates one of their own to the presidency in 2022, after backing his joint bid and presidency with President Uhuru Kenyatta since 2013.
Led by Meru Senator Meru Senator Mithika Linturi, the group said that they have for long supported leaders from the Kikuyu section of the region, terming it payback time.
Imenti Central MP Kirima Nguchine said that its their turn to ascend to the top, promising the DP fill support in exchange.
"Jubilee had a 20-year manifesto and the first 10-year term is ending. We want to support Dr Ruto. Once he moves from number two to number one, the one in number three should automatically move to position two,” the MP was quoted by the Nation.
Linturi said that demands that leaders stop politicking for now are baseless, saying that area leaders are free to chart the way forward.
“It is no longer a secret, the Constitution does not allow President Kenyatta to run in 2022. We should not shy away from discussing the 2022 politics. We should support our people since this region has good leaders who can promote their welfare,” he said.
The DP was however absent for the function, but sent his Sh500, 000 contribution through the Speaker, who steered off the debate.