Mike Sonko's decision to pick controversial lawyer Miguna Miguna as his deputy is a manifest of fading relationship between president Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto.
While the two leaders may have not differed openly, Sonko has in the recent past accused Uhuru' handlers of allegedly plotting to block Ruto from ascending to power.
"There is a clique of Mt. Kenya leaders led by Karanja Kibicho who are holding night meetings to block Ruto's 2022 chances.
" We shall not sleep as well until you fall. The DP must be respected. These are the same fellows intimidating me," Sonko said at a function last month.
The remarks elicited a sharp reaction from Kibicho, a trusted figure within Uhuru's office.
"I am not a politician and whatever Sonko wants from me, I don't know," he said even as the county boss maintains that he's being used by State House to run the show.
Over the weekend, Ruto watched helplessly as Sonko lectured his purported tormentors after they allegedly blocked him from delivering a speech in Uhuru's presence.
An agitated Sonko warned that he was in charge of the city adding that he won't allow intimidation.
"Some people are determined to undermine me. They should accept that I am the governor," he said.
Last year, Ruto was accused by as section of Mt. Kenya leaders of allegedly blocking Peter Kenneth in favour of Sonko in Jubilee nominations.
Widely believed to be Uhuru's preferred candidate, Kenneth was also tipped as a possible threat to Ruto's 2022 bid had he won Nairobi governorship.
At Nakuru on Wednesday, Sonko snubbed Uhuru's handshake under unknown reasons.
With Miguna Miguna now on board, battle lines for 2022 seems to have been drawn at City Hall.