The battle for the Rift Valley political kingpin played out openly on Monday during the burial of former nominated MP Mark Too, as Deputy President William Ruto and Kanu Chairman Gideon Moi clashed.
Thousands of mourners attended the burial of the former MP, and the two leaders who could not hide their rivalry even before President Uhuru Kenyatta took time to throw jibes at each other.
Moi was the first to attack, accusing Ruto of being dictatorial and isolating those opposed to his leadership style.
He further urged president Kenyatta to personally ask the locals for their votes, a statement that did nto auger well with Ruto, who feels he still commands the region.
“No one should ever tell me that I am dividing the Kalenjins,” Mr Moi said, speaking mostly in mother tongue.
“If you are truly a leader of the Kalenjins, and you see people not of your view, you sit down and talk with them. You don’t go abusing them,” he added.
Ruto his back immediately he got a chance, claiming he was there to ask for votes in 2013, which the people comfortably delivered.
“I have heard people say that I should calm down and let President Kenyatta ask for 2017 votes here, himself,” he said.
“In 2013, I asked for those votes and we won. Leave President Kenyatta out of this. If you have a problem, you ask me. Where were you when we were forming government, to lecture us now?” he went on.
However, President Kenyatta sought to calm the tempers when he took to the podium, saying the two leaders should work together in uniting the people and attaining political stability.