Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi wants Baringo Senator Gideon Moi to drop his presidential ambitions and start backing DP William Ruto ahead of the 2022 elections.
Sudi says all Rift Valley leaders agreed to stand with Ruto, as Uhuru Kenyatta will rule for only five more years, so nobody can make different moves.
"We will not be told that just because we backed President Kenyatta, who is the son of a former President, we must also back Gideon because he is also son of another former president. Gideon must learn to support other leaders", he said at Simat in Uasin Gishu County on Friday.
Uhuru is the son of founding President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta while Gideon is the son of second President Daniel arap Moi.
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The MP claimed "external forces" were being used to sabotage the Deputy President in the region.
"We know some leaders are given money to send here and joke with the DP. Let them know that if they want to be tricksters, we can also be tricksters. We know game, " he said.
"The region must support Ruto. Any people who try going in the Opposite direction [should know] we will meet them."
Meanwhile, two groups of youth leaders in Rift Valley are tussling over who - between Ruto and Gideon - is best suited to succeed Uhuru in 2022.
Ruto says it is too early to think about the next general election but this has not stopped speculation about outcomes.
He and the Kanu boss agreed to work together despite their rivalry to control the vote-rich Rift Valley.
Rift Valley Youth Brigade says it supports the DP as he is best placed to be Kenya's next ruler and already has a clear political and development track record in the region.
“Those talking of Gideon Moi are students who are yet to understand the dynamics of politics in this country," group chairman Bob Kibichy said at a meeting in Eldoret yesterday.
Kibichy said they were already working on strategies for campaigns for Ruto.
“We are not worried at all because we know the DP is a national leader and that he is not in the same league as those who are only known in their counties."
The chairman said those backing Gideon, who is Kanu party's national chairman, should keep off politics and focus on their studies.
"We ask our young brothers and sisters to concentrate on their studies and learn politics with time," said Kibichiy, who vied for the Ainabkoi MP seat last year.
The youth group terms Ruto the only Rift Valley kingpin and says all residents must therefore back him.
But last Sunday, another group of youth leaders from the region said Gideon was the better option.
The caucus, with representatives of more than 15 counties, said although they have no problem with Ruto, they believe the MP has the best qualities.
“He represents the interests of the youth and has a national image, which is liked by many Kenyans,” chairman Allan Mulwa said.
Mulwa noted it is their democratic right to support legislators of their choice.
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