DP Ruto's focus to succeed his boss and long-time political friend, President Uhuru Kenyatta, is a big headache ahead. In his preparations, the DP has to access or the regions to unify them as he is calling for support come 2022.
Recently, the tactful and self-confident 'Hustler' portrayed his commitment to winning the top seat by meeting the Coastal leaders. In the meeting, Ruto took his time to convince the Nasa leaders about the awaiting politics in his eyeing of the presidency.
Coast region was one of the National Super Alliance's stronghold and as a result, the region has many leaders belonging to either Wiper, ODM, Ford Kenya or ANC parties.
As he is used to, Ruto said that he is ready for talks about 2022. He enticed the leaders that this time around the region will not be taken for granted and their unity and support will be of paramount importance in solving their issues, knowing their ambitions and satisfying their needs.
However, DP Ruto's words faced controversy as the Kilifi Governor, Amason Kingi, stood against joyriding in other parties. Kingi, who led the meeting, was for the move that Coast region leaders form their own political party to drive their move and direction in the upcoming general elections.
Creation of a new regional party to put together the six coastal counties will, either, bring enmity amongst the leaders or a rift in the Nasa coalition's parties - ODM in particular. ODM party has got a good number of leaders from the region, led by the party's deputy leader, Governor Ali Hassan Joho.
This unpredictable atmosphere leaves the coast leaders dilemmatic. Should they leave their current political parties to form one party? And if they will, will they support DP Ruto to succeed in getting the top seat?