Kisii governor Simba Arati on Thursday affirmed his support for President William Ruto, saying the country can have only one president at a time.
This is despite claims by his Azimio leader Raila Odinga that the opposition does not recognise Ruto as President.
Arati, who joined Ruto in his tour of the county, told the President that he will work with him to deliver on his agenda for the people.
The governor is a key ally of the opposition and has previously hosted Azimio rallies in the county in which they vowed never to recognise Ruto as president.
"We can have only one president at a time," Arati told Ruto during the launch of the Kegati water project.
The governor said that in a football match, Kenya Kwanza and Azimio were in a game in which he said Ruto won with a controversial goal.
"Your excellency, we were in a match and even if you scored by the hand, it is a goal and you are the President," Arati said.
Ruto has insisted that it was the hand of God that delivered his victory despite all odds.
In a jest at Ruto, the governor said it was highly likely that the President would have equally called for protests had he lost to Azimio.
"As a people of Gusiiland we will give you all the support so that you can deliver for us," Arati said amid laughter from Ruto.
The governor asked the president to focus on his agenda for Kenyans, saying the Azimio protests are meant to "keep us awake".
"But even as we protest, your excellency, don't beat us so much, we can assure you that we shall work with you for development and governance matters," he said.
Ruto will complete his tour of Kisii and Nyamira counties today before heading to parts of Migori County on Saturday.
