Deputy President William Ruto who has declared interest in the presidency come 2022 will need crucial votes from his backyard in a bid to clinch the seat.
There are three vocal politicians from his home turf who are considered capable of delivering him the much needed Rift Valley votes.
1. Oscar Sudi
The Kapseret Member of Parliament is a close ally of Ruto. He has stood with him from the time he was facing trials at the International Criminal Court (ICC) to date.
Oscar Sudi is considered loyal to the bone and can do anything it takes to defend the DP. He has in numerous occasions attacked those opposing Ruto's 2022 bid.
In 2002, Sudi supported David Koross' bid for the Eldoret South parliamentary seat and in 2007 he supported Peris Simam for the same seat. In both cases, he delivered victory to the candidates.
This shows he enjoys massive support from his constituents and he is likely to convince them to support Ruto in the next general polls.
2. Samson Cherargei
The vocal Nandi Senator is a close confidant of Ruto. Although he is first time senator, he has already engaged in a war of words with political heavyweights who attack the DP.
In the last general elections, Cherargei garnered 92.5 per cent of the votes cast in his county. This shows that he enjoys overwhelming support in Nandi. He will try to woo all his supporters to rally behind Ruto.
3. Jackson Mandago
Mandago is serving his last term as the Uasin Gishu county boss. Sources claim he would have vied for the presidency in 2022 but shelved his ambition in favour of Ruto.
Mandago won the hearts of his county residents for two consecutive terms. He managed to beat Zedekiah Bundotich Kiprop alias Buzeki in both the Jubilee primaries and in the general elections. This clearly indicates the massive support he enjoys from the residents.
Ruto, who hails from the region, will depend on him to steer his campaign.
Mandago will tirelessly campaign for the Ruto as his political future is much dependent on Ruto's victory in 2022.
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