Politicians from across Gusii region have have maintained their position about DP William Ruto's political ambitions amid political onslaught from Rift Valley.
Last week, ODM leader Raila Odinga visited former president Daniel Moi, eliciting sharp reaction about an impending candidacy of Gideon Moi.
But at Gusii, various politicians have come out in defense of Ruto, who they now refer to as son of a peasant.
"We shall not allow politics of blackmail. Ruto is our de facto leader and nothing will change that," said senator Millicent Omanga.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Kitutu Masaba MP Shadrack Mose who accused royal families against conspiring to bring down Ruto.
"When time to pay debt comes, let us just pay back. It is wrong for some people to work against Ruto yet he has played his part," he said.
Understandably, Ruto is working overnight to unite the Gusii community and is said to have rolled a programme that would see the community unite behind a new party.