Ruto's allies are turning up the heat on Edwin Sifuna's State House ambitions.
South Mugirango MP and National Assembly Chief Whip Silvanus Osoro has dismissed the Nairobi Senator's presidential bid, arguing that what people want is development.
Osoro mocked a young man brought forward by a "sponsor" to tell crowds, "Sijui kama mnaniona" (I don't know if you can see me). "We can see you, so what do you want us to do for you? Many people want development," he said.
On Ruto's future, Osoro was blunt: "Sisi ni wanaume, acheni kututisha" (We are men, stop intimidating us). He added that just as Uhuru Kenyatta completed his ten years, Ruto will complete his own.
He later repeated the message: "Hata sisi ni wanaume msitutishe, Ruto ataenda 10 years Uhuru upende usipende" (We too are men, don't intimidate us. Ruto will go 10 years, Uhuru, like it or not.)
Osoro has made similar arguments before, saying there was no reason to assume Ruto would serve only one term, citing the long presidencies of Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel arap Moi and the two-term presidencies of Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru.
Sifuna, the Nairobi Senator and leader of the Linda Mwananchi Movement Party, has been positioning himself for the 2027 presidential race after being removed as ODM secretary general in February.
Late last month, Sifuna unveiled plans for party offices in all 47 counties and announced a National Delegates Convention within two weeks to install him as presidential candidate.
Opposition leaders including DCP's Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper's Kalonzo Musyoka have indicated willingness to support him should he emerge as the opposition's candidate, but say the final decision depends on consultations.
Sifuna, for his part, has urged opposition leaders to bury past differences and unite, arguing that Ruto does not merit another day in office.
In April, Osoro declared that Kisii leaders had resolved to back Ruto's re-election, saying the community would no longer be in the opposition.
The 2027 battle for Kisii and beyond is clearly heating up.
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