Even with four years to elections, Mt. Kenya region has split into two rival camps mostly associated to backers of handshake and those opposing the unity between Raila Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta.
With Deputy President William Ruto keen to inherit the region from Uhuru, a section of elected leaders are ready to back him on condition that he picks a running mate from among them.
Even with the condition, Ruto backers have further split into two with those from Eastern part claiming the slot through Kindiki Kithure while those from Central region going for Murang'a Governor Mwangi wa Iria.
"We have come of age and the DP should now pick one from among us to deputise him in 2022. We are ready to back him if that condition is fulfilled soonest," Mpuri Aburi has been quoted before.
But yet another group, comprising of former leaders who mostly lost in Jubilee primaries, who come out in support of Raila, who they term as 'sober and development' oriented.
Even though Raila is yet to declare his intentions, the team led by former assistant minister Kilemi Mwiria, believes that Raila deserves a chance having backed leaders from the region before.
"We shall support him no matter what if he goes to the ballot. He is a nationalist contrary to what people say about him. It is only a number of years before that happens," he said as another former MP, Gitobu Imanyara joined the camp.
In recent weeks, Raila has held meetings with Mt. Kenya leaders with the Mwiria group firing shots at DP William Ruto whom they accuse of belittling Raila.