This archive report was first published on 29 December 2019.
Deputy President William Ruto's 2022 presidency bid has caused a rift among Kikuyu elders, with those from Rift Valley pledging their support while their counterparts in Central have been asked to keep off the community's affairs in the region.
Speaking in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, over the weekend, Kikuyu elders from Rift Valley defended their move to visit Dr Ruto's Sugoi home during Christmas festivities, claiming that politicians and Mt Kenya 'mafia' are manipulating some of the elders from Central.
The council's Rift Valley chairman, Mr Kinyanjui Kamau, said he will continue 'supporting and dining' with Dr Ruto as a show of support for his ambition to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Mr Kamau refuted claims that they misused traditional Kikuyu regalia meant for members by letting politicians wear it without observing the community's traditions, saying the intention was to display the good working relationship between Kikuyus living in Rift Valley and Deputy President as a national leader.
He further asked the Kikuyu community in Central to stop interfering with their relationship with the DP, saying 'some council leaders from Central have been fighting us since we visited the Deputy President. Let them know we are living in harmony with the Kalenjin.'
The council's Rift Valley coordinator, Bishop Paul Gathuo, said he will continue mobilising the Kikuyu community in Rift Valley to continue supporting the DP ahead of the 2022 general election, criticising a section of the Central elders for supporting Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga.
