The appointment of former Assistant Minister Mwangi Kiunjuri to the Cabinet has sparked a fresh succession debate.

Leaders from Laikipia and Nyeri are now terming it a warm up to his presidential bid.

Politics took the centre stage yesterday in Marina, Laikipia County, after leaders said Mr Kiunjuri was a suitable candidate to succeed Deputy President William Ruto after he completes his term.

The leaders, speaking during the burial of former Laikipia County Assembly Majority Leader Ephraim Mwangi Kamakia, also commended President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy for appointing a Cabinet secretary from the semi-arid region for the first time in 30 years.

Laikipia East MP Anthony Mutahi and his nominated counterpart Sarah Lekorere kicked off the topic when they claimed that Kiunjuri's appointment was a sign of better things.

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Newly appointed Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri (right) consults with MPs, Sarah Lekorere (second right), Anthony Mutahi (Laikipia East and their Kieni counterpart Kanini Kega (left) during the burial of former Laikipia County Assembly Majority Leader Mr Ephraim Mwangi Kamakia at his Marian area home on December 21, 2015. (PHOTO: JOB WERU/ STANDARD)

"We have faith in you and you have now crossed over from county politics to national issues. This should tell you that President Kenyatta and Ruto have faith in your leadership," Mutahi told Kiunjuri, also present.

"We are optimistic we will soon produce a deputy president and a president," he said.

Laikipia Assembly Speaker Patrick Mariru, Governor Joshua Irungu, his deputy Gitonga Kabugi and Kieni MP Kanini Kega also gave their support, saying Kiunjuri had "graduated to national politics".