Three Senators and 12 MPs from Rift Valley region allied to URP have criticised Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto over his relationship with the Cord Coalition ahead of the 2017 General Election. The legislators described the move futile and bound to throw him into the political dustbin.
Speaking at Mau Summit in Kuresoi North during a fundraiser of eight churches, the leaders said the pecking order in Kalenjin community on who is their pointsman couldn’t be ignored. They told Ruto to hold his horses until after deputy President William Ruto succeeds President Uhuru Kenyatta and serves his two terms.
Led by Senators, Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet), Charles Keter (Kericho) and nominated Senator Liza Chelule, the legislators said members of the Kalenjin community are fully behind the Deputy President William Ruto and the Jubilee administration.
“Ruto’s wish to merge the Pesa Mashinani with Okoa Kenya referendum is not a surprise to us because we knew it all along. But they should be ready for a rude shock as the plan will backfire,” said Murkomen. He warned Ruto over his remarks on the ICC cases facing DP and castigated him for rejoicing over one’s tribulations.
“Ruto cannot dethrone the DP whom we will back in 2017 until he becomes the president in 2022. His move to try and deputise Cord Principal in the referendum is pointless,” he said. Keter challenged Ruto to come out clean and declare why he was so much determined to push for the Pesa Mashinani referendum if he was not a “Cord mole.”
He further said recent proceedings during President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Status Conference at The Hague were a clear indication that the case will not stand. The senator said it was evident that witnesses were bribed to testify against the president. The leaders urged county governments to end infighting to ensure devolution succeeds.
Murkomen said the Senate being the custodian of devolution would not be used to rubber stamp impeachment of governors by MCAs out to settle political goals. He cited Makueni county, as an instance where the Senate will not take sides but instead act like a court of law to enable them make an informed decision. He ruled out possibilities of dissolving the county.
Keter urged governors not to go to court on every matter because it is stalling development. The MPs who were present included Moses Cheboi (Kuresoi North), Samuel Chepkonga (Ainabkoi), William Kisang’ (Marakwet West), Paul Savimbi (Chepalungu) and Kirwa Bitok (Mosop) among others.
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