Baringo Senator Gideon Moi has suffered a major blow in his ambition to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2022.
While in Baringo two weeks ago, Moi announced his bid for presidency and exuded confidence in defeating his rivals to become Kenya's fifth head of state.
"I will be on the presidential ballot in 2022, and my political opponents should brace for a tough battle. I am not cowed, and I am not ready to shelve my political ambitions ," said the son of retired President Daniel Moi.
But before the excitement caused by the announcement could sink into the hearts of residents, Deputy President William Ruto on Friday stormed the area and turned tables on Senator Moi.
Delivering goodies and pledging for more development projects in the near future, Ruto asked locals to back him for the top seat and, without hesitation, they assured him of votes in 2022.
"We have committed Sh600 million for the second and third phase of the Last Mile connectivity project which will see more than 15,000 households in Baringo County connected to electricity," he said.
Ruto spoke when he launched the construction of Sh1.9 billion Oinobmoi-Kapluk-Barwesa road in Baringo Central constituency.
He promised that the construction of 70-kilometre Mogotio-Emsos Majimoto-Loboi road and that of Poror-Sirwa-Sigoro would start before the end of October.
Area leaders termed Moi a political novice and asked him to shelve his ambitions and support Ruto whom they said was guaranteed of occupying the house on the hill in the next election.
"We started this journey long time ago and we have banked on Ruto to be our next President. Other people from Rift Valley who are eyeing presidency should forego the decision and support the Deputy President," former Tiaty MP Asman Kamama was quoted by Nation.
Other leaders who made similar calls include Joshua Kandie (Baringo Central), William Cheptumo (Baringo North), Daniel Tuitoek (Mogotio) and Deputy Governor Jacob Chepkwony.
"We as the people of Baringo are aware of your plans of becoming president in 2022. We will support you," added Cheptumo.