Deputy President William Ruto’s 2022 presidential bid has been complicated by a position taken by Mt Kenya elected leaders.

Speaking over the weekend in Laikipia County, three MPs from the region stated that while Ruto was going to be their presidential candidate, they demanded that the running mate position should be decided through a ballot.

The MPs stated that the number two position would not be given on a silver platter, promising a tough battle.

The Deputy President is reportedly keen on having Devolution CS Mwangi Kiunjuri as his running mate but the arrangement could now be scuttled by the demand to subject the decision to the Mt Kenya electorate.

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria, Laikipia East’s Mohamed Amin and Ndaragwa’s Jeremiah Kioni warned any leader eyeing the number two position to prepare to fight for it.

“As Mt Kenya leaders, we have agreed that Ruto will be our presidential flag bearer, but anyone wishing to deputise him must work hard for it,” Kuria remarked.

In a statement seemingly pointed at Kiunjuri, the MPs accused some of those eyeing the running mate position of working to undermine elected leaders.

“This is not the time to step on elected leaders’ toes to distract them so they fail to deliver on what they promised their residents,” Kioni stated.