[DP William Ruto at Diani. He is said to have worked closely with NASA governors to block Salim Mvurya who was preferred by Uhuru in CoG. Photo/Standard]
Deputy President William Ruto worked closely with NASA Governors and Jubilee governors from his Rift Valley turf to cement Josephat Nanok's position in CoG, reveals the Sunday Nation.
Earlier, Jubilee had planned to use its numerical strength to vote in Salim Mvurya to the much coveted Chairman of the Council of Governors, a plan that did not work anyway.
"Our plan was to sweep all seats available in the council through our numbers," said Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki.
But to cement his authority in the CoG, Ruto is said to have secretly backed Uasing Gishu's Jackson Mandago, to cause further confusion in Jubilee camp.
And with Mandago dropping his bid hours to voting, Jubilee Governors from Rift Valley and pastrolist communities, under the instruction of Ruto, backed Nanok's bid on simple fact that he comes from Ruto's home-turf.
"He was keen to have someone from Rift Valley in the Council and that is why he rallied behind Nanok. That was a strategy to keep Mvurya at bay," said a source who was among the delegation of Nyamira County to Diani.
And even with the consensus approach brokered by Anyang' Nyong'o and Kiraitu Murungi carrying the day, governors allied to Ruto are keen to ensure Mvurya does not succeed.
They are said to be keen on having elections after six months despite a gentleman agreement that Mvurya takes over.