Deputy President William Ruto is expected to be endorsed by elders as their prefferd presidential candidate in Eldoret today ahead of the August polls.

Ruto is expected to face Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga for the top seat in their quest to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Several Members of Parliament (MPs), governors and aspirants allied to DP Ruto for various seats from the Rift Valley and beyond are expected to attend the event at Eldoret Sports Club.

Eldoret Sports Club has special memories for DP Ruto given it was at the same venue where he was declared a community spokesman ahead of the 2013 polls.

While assessing the venue, leaders led by Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago said Eldoret will be painted yellow.

Yellow is the major colour of DP Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.

Soon after the event, the DP is also expected to address another rally in Eldoret town.

Governor Mandago further said DP Ruto will be given the permission to focus on vote-hunting in other regions and leave his foot soldiers to sell his agenda in the Rift Valley region.

“As the people of North Rift, we will release Ruto to other regions. We will not tire him with campaigns in his home turf,” Mandago said.

Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi said after the Eldoret rally, the DP can only attend other meetings in the region, if he gets time because he will shift his focus to the presidential campaigns ahead of the August polls.

He further said today’s rally will be a cultural event and that at least 90 elected leaders will attend.

“In Kalenjin culture, there are certain things that someone who is embarking on a journey is told, and he is offered some food and blessings, and that is what the DP will be given in the rally,” Sudi said.

Mandago and Sudi have been at loggerheads but have since decided to resolve their issues amicably ahead of the DP Ruto Eldoret rally.