Politicians from Mount Kenya now wants Deputy President William Ruto to pick his 2022 running mate from the region.
Led by Senate Deputy Chief Whip Irungu Kang'ata, the leaders specified that Ruto should be deputised by a person from Murang'a county and they fronted area governor Mwangi Wa Iria.
"The fact that we have never produced a successful candidate and therefore we feel it is time to present a strong candidate. I would imagine as Ruto tours this county to evaluate whom he can tap into," Kangata said during a fundraiser at Gaichanjiru High School where the DP was the chief guest.
Echoing similar sentiments, former Kigumo Member of Parliament Jamleck Kamau observed that Kiambu county had produced two presidents (Uhuru Kenyatta and Jomo Kenyatta) while Nyeri had one (Mwai Kibaki), insisting it was time for Murang'a to occupy dp's seat.
"All these counties around us have produced presidents and as we vote for Ruto in 2022, we also want the deputy president's seat be reserved for Governor Wa Iria," Kamau said on Friday.
When he rose to speak, Ruto, who had been put under intense pressure to endorse Wa Iria, hinted that he may consider the second-time county boss as his deputy.
"I have listened to your views about Wa Iria about 2022 and we shall see," the DP said, adding it was not time to politick about 2022 succession.
"Politics has its time and we closed that chapter when Kenyans voted for their leaders. Our work and preoccupation is how to build railway lines, how to build more roads and hospitals," he added.