Meru Governor Peter Munya with Deputy President William Ruto at Meru County International Investment Conference on June 25, 2015. (Photo: Twitter/@PeterMunya).
They have both declared interest in vying for the presidency come 2022.
The genesis of their rivalry dates back to last year, when Meru Governor Peter Munya declined to fold the Party of National Unity (PNU) to join the Jubilee Party, led by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto.
At least 11 parties dissolved and joined Jubilee in September 2016.
However, there recent remarks by the Governor are more likely to widen the rift between him and DP Ruto.
Munya says the Deputy President does not like him because he has also shown interest in the presidency come 2022.
The chairman of the Council of Governors (CoG) has vowed not to share any political platform with DP Ruto, saying he is intolerant.
"He is annoyed with me because I declared I will run for president in 2022 against him. He is using all means to undermine Munya," the PNU chairman said, as reported by the Star.
Munya claims Ruto’s trips to Meru are mean to target him.
He is accusing the DP of being a dictator, and forcing all Kenyans to be sycophants to follow him blindly.
“My advice to Ruto is that he should be more civil and accommodating in his approach to politics as no one has the monopoly ideas and we are in a competitive world. His strategy has been to clear any roadblock that seems to complicate or threaten his 2022 bid," Munya said in an interview with the Star.
Munya says he refused to fold PNU to ensure democracy reigns in the country.