Allies of Deputy President William Ruto from Western Kenya have stated that they will not push to be his running mate in the 2022 General Elections.
Instead, they will settle for cabinet posts and a consensual economic agenda for the region.
Former National Assembly Majority Whip Benjamin Washiali stated that they will be comfortable with other slots, heading into the election year.
"Given the kind of support the DP has, he will definitely succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta. I don't think we will reach a point where Western will force him to pick one of us to deputise Ruto," he said.
Read More
"We also do not count in numbers, so we will not push for the position," he noted.
ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi has announced he will contest for the country's top seat, and that may convince the DP not to pick a running mate from the region. ODM leader Raila Odinga also boasts a fair share of votes from Western.
Washiali also accused FORD Kenya leader Moses Wetangula of hurting their chances of bargaining for the running mate position.
"Mudavadi and Wetangula have let us down. We expected them to work with us in pushing for the seat," he stated.
According to his allies, DP Ruto is narrowing down on Mount Kenya and Coast regions to pick a running mate from.
Former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa has, however, maintained that there is still a chance that the region can produce the DP's number 2.
