Deputy President William Ruto on Sunday failed to attend a meeting organised by some Luo Council of Elders and clergy meant to endorse him for the presidency.
The event was to take place at the Coptic Church in Kisumu where he was to be the guest of honour in a fundraiser as well.
Led by Citizen Conventions (CCP) party leader Grace Akumu, the group camped at the church hoping to meet him but he instead sent Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony to represent him in the fundraiser.
Mzee Nyandiko Ongadi who represented the Luo Council of Elders said that they were in support of Ruto's ambitions.
He added that his attempts to make inroads into the region have been successful.
The church leader John Pesa said that the group had been waiting for him for hours after he had been classified as the guest of honour.
“We have been waiting for the DP since morning, but, unfortunately, he has not turned up. We love him and he should come and see his people,” Pesa told the Standard.
Deputy President William Ruto has received a major boost after a group of political, cultural and religious leaders on Sunday backed his presidential bid.
The latter has since made it clear that he will be in the race for the house on the hill come 2022.
The region is considered to be almost entirely allied to opposition leader Raila Odinga who is expected to take another shot at the top seat come 2022.
The two leaders on Saturday shared a podium during the coronation of Philip Anyolo as the new Archbishop of the Kisumu archdiocese at Uzima University Grounds.