'If Ruto wants to win in 2027 he should vie with Ndindi Nyoro,' Senator Joe Nyutu says

In Nyutu's view, President Ruto's current deputy Rigathi Gachagua is seemingly losing popularity in the Mount Kenya region, a region deemed to be a political stronghold.

Speaking on Citizen TV's Day Break show on Thursday, the legislator argued that Nyoro has gained more popularity in the region and will be the most appropriate running mate behind Ruto in the next national polls.

"We love the president and because we don't want him to encounter any problem in the mountain then I think the best [thing] would be to come with the most popular running mate," Nyutu argued.

"I think he (Nyoro) could be more popular, we are on the ground we listen to people, we hear what people think about each one of us. Ndindi has shown some very good social skills, a very good relationship with people and generally he has favour."

His Makueni counterpart Dan Maanzo further added that Gachagua's political muscle seems to be weakening, arguing that he has not been devoted to his leadership roles.

"Rigathi seems to be in trouble. He never sat much in the Assembly, he never paid much attention to the proceedings of the House he would just appear and disappear to his businesses," he said.

"If you have a one-on-one with Rigathi or when he is addressing the nation you feel that there are things he is taking for granted or for a joke. He has to be prepared properly by the President's secretariat so that when he issues statements they are not just jokes from the village it is something meant to unite the nation."

He also questioned Nyoro's competence to serve as the nation's second-in-command, noting that he lacks political grit to be elevated to such a position.

"Similarly with Ndindi Nyoro, central Kenya seems to be having problems. One of the politicians described him as he's still in pampers politically. You have to be mature politically other than the little shows you have to be mature enough to lead a nation," said Maanzo.

Nominated Senator Tabitha Mutinda was however of a contrary opinion, who argued that Gachagua's perceived political weakness is only being fuelled by a few leaders and not the views of citizens.

"That is not the narrative of UDA, that is the narrative of a few individuals. The leadership of President Ruto and Gachagua is intact and they are focused," she said.

The jitters about replacing DP Gachagua with Ndindi Nyoro surfaced in early January as a section of leaders from the Mount Kenya region kicked off a campaign to replace Ruto's running mate.

The leaders accuse Gachagua of failing to address issues facing the region, for instance initiating the much-needed reforms in the coffee and tea sectors.

They also state that he has been unsuccessful in uniting the Mt. Kenya region and should pave way for fresh blood, now endorsing MP Nyoro.

On January 16, DP Gachagua harshly rebutted his opponents, dismissing the succession talks as an insult to Kenyans who expect service delivery.

“Let me say for the avoidance of doubt, I have only one focus as Gachagua, I am focused on one thing; assisting President William Ruto to succeed...hii ingine wengine wanafuata mambo mengine, mimi siko hapo...hata mpige kelele gani,” he stated.

“Mimi I am focused, and I cannot lose focus... in this administration, I have no other agenda...to make sure that I assist President Ruto to succeed in the economic transformation of this country...wale wanataka kusucceed President Ruto muendelee."