Infightings and Raila Odinga's recent trip to Gusii seems to have completely cut down to size a campaign strategy established by DP William Ruto in the vast region.
With at least 1 million votes at stake, Ruto had assembled a powerful team from both Nyamira and Kisii Counties to drive his agenda.
In the team, a section of youthful lawmakers led by South Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro were tasked to take charge, something that may have not gone well with veteran Jubilee politicians.
At Sironga on Friday during the burial of former Minister Henry Obwocha, all Nyamira MPs failed to drum support for the DP, an indication of strained relationship among top campaigners.
Viewed as a perfect platform to deconstruct Raila, the MPs instead focused on national reconciliation, a campaign led by Raila.
Previously, Ruto had met all Gusii MPs apart from Senators Okong'o Mogeni (Nyamira) and Sam Ongeri (Kisii).
Governors James Ongwae (Kisii) and John Nyagarama (Nyamira), despite meeting Ruto previously, they seem steady in ODM after their weekend meeting with Raila separately on Saturday and Friday respectively.
An MP who spoke in confidence accused Ruto of belittling senior leaders for Osoro's team.
"Some of us have been in politics for long and it beats logic that we are taking commands from starters in politics.
"That cannot work and that's the reason behind cold war and go slow in Ruto's camp. More MPs would now rather work with Uhuru and Raila than engaging in campaigns," said the MP.
Conspicuously missing from Ruto's campaigns also are Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i and Solicitor General Ken Ogeto.
While the two showed interest in backing Ruto's bid, they have since taken a back seat after President Uhuru Kenyatta warned against early campaigns.
"They are tied with Presidential order and you'll never see them anywhere in those campaigns," the MP added.
Veteran politician Walter Nyambati, who was sidelined along former North Mugirango MP Joseph Kiangoi, said the DP's campaign team is underwhelming.
Further, he pointed out discrimination allegedly executed by the Osoro team, which also constitutes former ODM youth leader Antony Kibagendi.
"They are working on their own. We have never been invited to a meeting leave alone Ruto calling us and saying how he wants things done," he said.
The DP has toured Gusii region in more than three occasions with the latest coming on Friday at Nyamira.
It remains a puzzle on how Ruto will unite the youthful team and that of veteran politicians along with technocrats who feel left out.
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