Deputy President William Ruto is planning to announce his running mate in the run-up to the August 9 elections today, Saturday, May 14 at his official Karen residence.

Speculations are rife that Tharaka Nithi senator Kithure Kindiki is the leading man in the DP's choice for his deputy, with sources in the presidential campaign team confirming that the announcement will be made at any time.

This will put to rest the mind-boggling question that had persisted for months now and he will be in time to beat the deadline set by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to submit the names of running mates by midnight of Monday, May 16.

According to the power-sharing deal of the Kenya Kwanza Coalition, in the event that DP clinches the presidency, his deputy must be drawn from the United Democratic Alliance hence his decision.

Kindiki is neck to neck with Mathira legislator Rigathi Gachagua who has also been fronted as a suitable candidate for the position.

DP Ruto's move to have the two as potential candidates is strategical, as Kindiki is expected to bring the vote from the Eastern Mt Kenya region that accounts for 0.4 percent of the region's total votes with approximately 235,000 voters, while Rigathi, on the other hand, is expected to bring approximately 494,839 votes, from the larger Mt Kenya vote basket.

Sources allied to the DP have revealed that the two legislators were made aware of the DP's choice as of Thursday, May 16.

“We met yesterday (Thursday) in Karen and agreed to unveil the running mate from this region and we zeroed in on either Rigathi or Kindiki. Let’s hold our horses today,” Murang’a Senator Irungu Kang’ata stated.

This, therefore, leaves DP Ruto's main competitor, Raila Odinga, who has stated that he would be announcing his running mate on Monday, May 16.

The names of three candidates for the positions have been forwarded by the Azimio One Kenya selection panel, with sources speculating that Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua, former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth, and Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka made the cut out of eleven candidates who have been proposed as potential deputies for the ODM leader.