Uhuru Kenyatta, William Ruto draw battle lines in Kiambu ahead of polls

President Uhuru Kenyatta accompanied by First Lady Margaret Kenyatta is received by Deputy President William Ruto at Parliament Buildings for viewing the body of the late President Daniel Moi. [File, Standard]

Campaigns in Kiambu County are at full throttle, 51 days to the elections. The battle for the heart and soul of the populous county is crystallising. Lead protagonists are President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto.

At stake are nearly two million votes - nine per cent of the country’s entire vote basket - which can propel a presidential candidate to State House. This explains why major presidential candidates are circling the county, which has produced two of Kenya’s four presidents. More importantly, this time round, Kiambu and entire Mt Kenya region have no leading presidential candidate, making it a fertile hunting ground.