Deputy President William Ruto was forced to make a hasty retreat to his Eldoret home turf after a section of Rift Valley leaders threatened to ditch Jubilee.
In what analysts have termed as an attempt to end political tensions in the Rift Valley, the DP held a closed-door meeting with the disgruntled leaders from the region.
This comes just a day before the President's visit to the area and the DP will be keen to show his political might in the region that voted overwhelmingly for Uhuru Kenyatta in the last elections.
The leaders, led by Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago, had threatened to lead the Kalenjin community in supporting the Opposition should the Kikuyu community support independent candidate Bundotich Kiprop alias Buzeki.
Sources privy to the details revealed to a local newspaper that the leaders, led by Mandago, requested the DP to prevail upon Buzeki to drop his bid.
However, the DP stated that the issue will be discussed at a later date.
The private session was also attended by Nandi Hills Member of Parliament Alfred Keter and his Kapseret counterpart Oscar Sudi who are close allies of Mandago.
Also in the meeting was Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos.
