The politics of Gusii region is tipped for a radical shift following President William Ruto's push to edge out opposition chief Raila Odinga.
It has emerged that Ruto is scheming to reorganise and re-engineer his Gusii region team to bring on board more experienced and influential politicians who have crossed over from Raila's camp.
The President is said to be determined to shake up his team in the region to accommodate new entrants into the fold including ex-Kisii governor James Ongwae and former county Woman Representative Janet Ong'era.
The two are expected to team up with Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu to enhance Ruto's fortunes in the region as the President seeks to endear himself to the community.
Ongwae and Ong'era, seasoned politicians with massive grassroots connections, are expected to revitalise the Kenya Kwanza Gusii team that has been rocked in vicious infighting.
The two said last Wednesday that they had resigned from the ODM party because of "mistreatment and betrayal” despite the immense support for the outfit over the years.
The Star has established that Ruto is concerned that his Gusii region team was mainly made up of youthful politicians without strong grassroots networks to turn the tables on Raila.
Since 2007, Raila has been the region's political supremo, leading rival presidential candidates by huge margins during general elections.
As part of Ruto's new approach, the Star understands, the President is firming up a powerful machine for the region that will be captained by seasoned politicians including Ongwae and Ong'era.
Other leaders expected to play central roles in Ruto's strategy include ex-MPs Chris Obure, Jimmy Angwenyi, Stephen Manoti and Zepedeo Opore.
Analysts say Ruto has started preparing for his 2027 second term bid by targeting Raila's traditional bastions as he seeks to consolidate the country into Kenya Kwanza.
“It is going to be a multi-pronged strategy …. I can't confirm the details but I can tell you the President is determined to work with all leaders from Gusii region,” said North Mugirango MP Joash Nyamoko.
The National Assembly Lands Committee chairman insisted that Kenya Kwanza wants to “bring on board as many leaders as possible” as part of the President's nationwide cohesion and development.
Nyamoko and South Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro, who is the National Assembly Chief Whip, will also be at the centre of consolidating the region for Ruto.
However, there has been friction within the Kenya Kwanza team from the region amid feuds over the leadership style of some of Ruto's key allies.
“The truth is that there is a feeling that the youthful politicians are engaged in supremacy wars at the expense of Ruto's agenda,” said a politician aware of the infighting.
"With the coming on board of Ongwae, a seasoned politician and grassroots mobiliser, be sure of a major shift that will enhance Ruto fortunes."
There was a near fallout last week as Ruto unveiled PS nominees after one of the leaders was accused of undermining fellow MPs and “over promising” on the President's rewards.
The leaders later held a crisis meeting at a Nairobi hotel where they called for a ceasefire and vowed to work together as they wait for the next phase of appointments.
To enhance his presence in Gusii, the President is expected to appoint at least three Chief Administrative Secretaries into his administration.
The two counties missed out of the PSs posts.
It later turned that the President's move was deliberate to give him wiggle room to accommodate new players in his team that will drive the Kenya Kwanza agenda.
There is also talk that the community mighty produce the next Solicitor General to take over from Ken Ogeto, who hails from Nyamira.
Some of the seasoned politicians from the region might be handed the CASs posts while others will be appointed to powerful state-owned firms as a way of appeasing the community.
Former UDA MPs who lost in the last elections including Vincent Kemosi and Shadrack Mose are tipped for senior state appointments in the coming weeks as Ruto moves to reward more loyalists.
Edited by Henry Makori