On Saturday, Deputy President William Ruto named Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua as his running mate in the August 9, General election.
This followed months of speculation on who would possibly deputise him, in his quest to become the fifth president of the Republic of Kenya.
Before the ultimate unveiling of the running mate, other individuals had been highly mentioned to be gunning to be Ruto’s number two. They included; ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi and Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua and Tharaka Nithi senator Kithure Kindiki.
However, what does the selection of Gachagua mean for the other hopefuls?
Professor Kithure Kindiki who was the second most favorite person to deputise Ruto will possibly have to settle for a cabinet slot, or the leadership of one of the houses of parliament.
The Tharaka Nithi senator had declared interest for the county's gubernatorial seat but the deputy president insisted that he wanted to work with him at the national level, in one of their rallies in the county.
ANC leader Mudavadi had been highly rated to deputise Ruto in various opinion polls, but the DP has insisted that the seat is a reserve for the Mt Kenya region.
However, Mudavadi will now have to settle for the position of Prime Cabinet minister where he will be appointed through an executive order, once Ruto assumes office.
He will assist the president and his deputy in the implementation of some of their roles, according to the agreement deposited at the registrar of political parties
For Governor Waiguru, her focus will go back to defending his Kirinyaga governor seat, a position she has held for the past five years.
Here, she will battle it out with Woman Representative Purity Ngirici who is seeking to dethrone her as an independent candidate.
Justin Muturi will also settle for a different role other than that of Speaker of the National Assembly. Speaking on Friday, he said that under his watch, a lot has been done and a lot improved and he would like another person to take over the mantle.
"I have said that having done two terms, I wouldn't want to continue any longer. I feel it is fair to allow other Kenyans to take the mantle," he said.
