•The developments have also raised the stakes as Ruto and Raila scramble for a pie of the country's populous vote region ahead of their epic 2022 duel.
•There are concerns within Ruto's camp that Raila’s latest forays and endorsement by the powerful Mt Kenya foundation could shake Ruto's grip on the region.
Image: DOUGLAS OKIDDY
Deputy President William Ruto is walking a political tightrope to maintain a grip on Mt Kenya region in the wake of ODM boss Raila Odinga's aggressive forays there.
Ruto who has previously been seen as enjoying a massive political head start in the region is facing a vicious onslaught from President Uhuru Kenyatta's camp.
The latest move by wealthy businessmen from the region to embrace a Raila candidature could jolt Ruto's plans to bet on Mt Kenya in his State House bid.
The developments have also raised the stakes as Ruto and Raila scramble for a share of the fpie of the country's populous vote region ahead of their epic 2022 duel.
Already, the President's men have warned that Ruto's hard-won support in the region is plummeting and his fortunes nosediving following Raila's charm offensive.
It has also emerged that Ruto would be relying on his grassroots and common Mwananchi centred approach to ramping up his 2022 campaigns.
Raila, who appears to be Uhuru's preferred successor, is banking on the support of influential bigwigs including business magnates to propel his fifth stab at the presidency.
“The ground has shifted and things will no longer be the same for Ruto and his Tangatanga camp,” Kieni MP Kanini Kega said.
The Uhuru ally said the region is slowly embracing the ODM boss although the plan to market him properly is at initial stages.
“In a few days he was able to climb half of the mountain, with more efforts he will reach the peak sooner than later,” he said.
There are concerns within Ruto's camp that Raila’s latest forays and endorsement by the powerful Mt Kenya foundation could shake the DP's grip on the region.
Raila had over the weekend embarked on an aggressive vote-hunt in Uhuru's backyard, touring Laikipia before storming the region for a flurry of roadside meetings on his way back to Nairobi.
Political analysts say the ODM boss' reception exceeded expectations as thousands turned up to welcome him including a mega stopover that brought the popular Githurai market to a standstill.
For the first time, Raila was accompanied by local leaders, including four governors and MPs, who rallied the residents to support him in the 2022 general elections.
They were Governors Lee Kinyanjui (Nakuru), Francis Kimemia (Nyandarua), James Nyoro (Kiambu) and Ndiritu Muriithi (Laikipia).
The ex-prime minister's tour, which was largely seen as a symbolic gesture in the plans to crown him Uhuru's successor could complicate Ruto's game plan.
The DP requires almost 80 per cent of more than six million Mt Kenya votes, to romp to State House, despite his falling out with his boss.
He may now need to step out and work harder if he hopes to turn the tables on his critics and political enemies to inherit Uhuru at the house on the hill.
Raila already seems to be scaling the mountain after his tour culminated in the historic endorsement of his presidential candidature by the Mt Kenya Foundation-an exclusive club of wealthy tycoons from the region.
“The President asked us to advise him on what type of person he should hand the mantle to,” MKF vice-chairman Titus Ibui said during a meeting with Raila on Tuesday.
The business icons are an influential lot that is said to have immense influence on the country’s politics.
The billionaires are said to be the system that has bankrolled, campaigned and influenced succession politics since the days of late retired President Daniel Moi.
MKF is believed to have financed former President Mwai Kibaki and his successor, President Uhuru, in both the 2013 and 2017 elections.
Often, Raila has cried foul that the system has stolen his victories since 2007.
Murang’a Woman Representative Sabina Chege and Kieni MP Kanini Kega were among the legislators who rallied the residents to back Raila for President.
“We want to go into the election not with an option of winning but winning is a must,” Kinyanjui, who attended the meeting alongside his colleagues, said.
The meetings appeared to have triggered anxiety in the DP’s camp, forcing him to troop to the region on Wednesday in apparent frantic efforts to erase Raila's gains.
The DP visited Nyeri where he attended the burial of Nyeri speaker John Kaguchia's father, Richard Kaguchia Gichoni.
He also presided over a fundraiser at Mweiga Church as the chief guest.
Central Kenya has been a hostile territory to Raila since 1997 when he first vied for president, and the DP, according to the political observers, Raila is keen to sever the perceived hostility.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris