Plans to get Deputy President William Ruto a running mate in 2022 from Mt Kenya has started in earnest.
Politicians and wealthy businessmen from the region have expressed their support for his Presidential bid in 2022 when President Uhuru Kenyatta retires.
Several meetings have been held and extensive deliberations into the matter conducted.
The clique feels this time round, the decision to appoint a running mate should not be upto Uhuru alone; it should be all-inclusive.
In one of the meetings held recently, reports the Star, an MP from Nyeri County suggested they amend the constitution to allow for primary elections to pick a running mate for the President.
He said only Ruto can get a direct ticket but any other person should be allowed to contest for the deputy’s position.
There are fears that Ruto could be scouting for a deputy outside the region, something they say Uhuru supports.
The President is expected to lead Ruto’s campaigns in 2022; Leader of Majority in the National Assembly Aden Duale affirms this.
“One of the President’s legacies is being the chief campaigner for Ruto. It is our expectation that during the last two years or so of his term, he will put in place all necessary infrastructure and become chief campaigner,” averred Duale.
But Mt Kenya power brokers are hell bent on ensuring they have a centre-stage role in picking up Kenyans second most powerful man.
“Just as we started before 2011 and decided Uhuru would be our leader, we must come together and ensure we have a place in Ruto’s government after 2022,” a source familiar with the discussion intimidated to the Star.
He added that they are closely watching the “formation of a new Cabinet will indicate where Ruto’s hand is leaning and that will inform any decision we make moving forward.”
But even as this happens, there are sharp divisions within Mt Kenya which now has three blocks. Each bloc is reported to be fronting a candidate.
We have the Embu, Meru, Kirinyaga and Tharaka Nithi bloc which is pushing for either Senator Kithure Kindiki or Governor Anne Waiguru to deputize Ruto.
Then we have Kiambu, Nyeri and Murang’a bloc toying with several candidates among them former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo, Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wa, former Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau and Peter Kenneth.
The third bloc consist Nakuru, Laikipia and Nyandarua which has fronted Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri.
However, other players outside Mt Kenya feel one of their own should get the position.
“It may be time for Mt Kenya to sit this one out to ensure the country feels Uhuru has been serious about national cohesion,” a western MP said.