Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula during Thanks giving function held at Friends school Silungai in Malava Sub- county on April 1, 2023. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

Rift Valley leaders have revealed their intention to reward Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula handsomely for their loyalty to President William Ruto.

Uasin Gishu governor Jonathan Bii, Kericho senator Aaron Cheruiyot and President Ruto's aide Farouk Kibet noted that the two played a pivotal role in winning western Kenya votes for Ruto against a Raila Odinga onslaught during last year's elections, thus, they deserve a reward.

The leaders, who spoke at Sulungai Primary School in Malava constituency, revealed there are plans by Rift Valley leaders to work with the duo after Dr Ruto's presidency.

"I am the governor of the president's home county. When you see me here, be assured something is cooking between the leaders of Rift Valley and our two brothers from western," Mr Bii said.

The county chief added: "We will always remember the sacrifices you made for us, and we must reward it in equal measure."

Mudavadi had expressed interest in the presidency before shelving his ambition to back Ruto's bid.

"I will declare my ambitions when Ruto finishes his two terms," said Musalia recently during a meeting with MCAs in Vihiga County.

Kibet, a long-serving aide to the president, said leaders from Rift Valley are deeply indebted to the duo that went against the Raila tide to back Ruto.

"I laud the two leaders and the people of western Kenya who have crossed over to Kenya Kwanza because of them. I want to assure them all they did was not in vain. We will reciprocate at the opportune time. When the time comes when you will be asking for higher political offices, we will pay back," said Farouk during a Harambee for a local churches where Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was the chief guest.

President Ruto sent his donation of Sh3 Million.

"Together with MP Malulu Injendi (Malava), we convened a Harambee for 40 churches, 20 from Western and another 20 from Rift Valley, that should already tell you something," said Kibet.

President Ruto has on several occasions affirmed that Musalia's sacrifice in the run-up to the victory of Kenya Kwanza would be rewarded in equal measure in the days to come, politically and through the empowerment of the people from his political base.

Senate Majority Leader, Cheruiyot, encouraged the Mulembe nation to maintain good relations with Ruto's government.

"So far, the relations are developing well. You can see my brother, the Governor of Kakamega Fernandes Barasa, has disowned the ongoing demonstrations led by the ODM party leader, the party he belongs to. This shows that Western Kenya people have now realised the importance of working with the government of Ruto," he said.

Wetang'ula said the Mulembe nation had a better future working with Ruto than with Raila, whom the region had supported for ages.

"Many doubted us when we decided to work with Ruto, but the fruits have started showing," he said, urging the region to stick with Ruto for a better political future of the region.