THREE candidates eyeing the Nakuru governor's seat are looking for running mates.
The include National Transport and Safety Authority boss Lee Kinyanjui, Nacada chairman John Mututho and Nakuru Senator James Mungai.
They said they are looking for running mates from the Kalenjin community.
Kalenjins are the second largest tribe after Kikuyu in the county.
Early this month, Mututho was quoted saying he wants a woman running mate from the Kalenjin community aged 21-35.
He said the candidate must be vetted and endorsed by Kalenjin elders and opinion leaders.
However, Kalenjin elders told the Star Mututho should not issue any specifications on the kind of running mate he wants.
Elder Korir Langat said: “Mututho just wants to divide our community. If at all he is serious, he should personally come to us and request for a running mate,” he said.
Langat said the Kalenjin community takes leadership matters with great seriousness and they will not let anyone take them for a ride.
Mungai's spokesperson Joseph Omondi said they are consulting Kalenjin leaders.
He said Mungai has not launched his bid because he does not to “collide” with the incumbent.Omondi said Kinyanjui, whose popularity in the county has gone up in the recent months, is the only threat.
“To be honest, Kinyanjui is the real threat because in 2013 he competed for the same seat and of late he appears to be gaining more popularity among the people.”
Omondi said Mututho might opt to drop out of the race as he did in 2013.
Kinyanjui told the Star Kalenjin leaders have been approaching him over the deputy governor’s position.
He said he is keenly considering his running mate.
come 2017.
“So many people have approached me for the position but am still considering on who to pick,” he said.
Kinyanjui has so far appeared to be the preferred candidate for the seat by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto.
Back in 2013 after Kinyanjui lost to Governor Kinuthia Mbgua in the TNA nomination, President Uhuru immediately absorbed him into his campaign team.
Kinyanjui was later appointed in September 2013 by President Uhuru to chair the National Transport and Safety Authority.
January this year Kinyanjui declared he will be quitting his current position at NTSA in September to launch his campaign bid for Nakuru county gubernatorial seat.
Incumbent governor Mbugua has declared he will be defending his seat and that his deputy Joseph Ruto will be his running mate.