Members of the Kericho County Assembly have thrown their weight behind Deputy President William Ruto in the ongoing supremacy war between him and other top leaders in the Rift Valley.
Addressing journalists at the County Assembly precincts on Tuesday, the more than 30 MCAs called on Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, Baringo Senator Gideon Moi and Kanu Secretary-General Nick Salat to stop undermining the DP.
Speaking on behalf of the ward leaders, Leader of Majority Daniel Rono said the DP is the “undisputed kingpin” of Kalenjin politics and warned those who were against him that they were on their own.
“We want to categorically state that the county assembly of Kericho has always and will continue to stand by Ruto. We can only have one leader at a time and so I am urging elected leaders in Rift Valley to stop tearing us apart,” he said.
This move by the MCAs is likely to put Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony in an awkward position politically.
A week ago, Prof Chepkwony declared that he would stand by Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto “to the end” yet the Council of Governors boss has been seen by many as trying to seize control of the South Rift politically, snatching an important vote basket from the DP’s hands.
Mr Rono said the MCAs were closely watching the unfolding rebellion against the DP in the South Rift. They called on residents of the county not to be fooled into leaving Ruto to support any other candidate.
The Kamasian MCA said the assembly was also rooting for the re-election of President Kenyatta in the next General Election under the newly formed Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) ticket.
JAP was formed earlier this year when Mr Ruto (DP) and Mr Kenyatta collapsed their respective parties, the United Republican Party (URP) and The National Alliance (TNA) party.
Kipchebor Ward MCA Joel Siele singled out Mr Moi, the Baringo Senator, and wondered why he was bent on blocking Mr Ruto’s path to State House in 2022.
Mr Siele said the Kalenjin community had backed the Senator’s father – Former President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi – for more than 30 years almost to a man and urged Mr Moi to now return the favour by backing Mr Ruto.
RETURN FAVOUR
“For more than 15 years, Ruto (DP) supported President Moi. I am shocked that instead of his son now showing appreciation by supporting Ruto, he has started his own presidential campaign. We need to speak as one voice as a community but under the leadership of Ruto,” he said.
The MCAs assured the DP of their unwavering support with Ms Josephine Yegon, another MCA, referring to the growing rebellion as propaganda.
All but one of the 47 MCAs in Kericho County are under Mr Ruto’s URP.
