Governor Isaac Ruto faces off with Jubilee senators in Bomet

A weekend meeting in Bomet ended prematurely after anti-Pesa Mashinani senators and Governor Isaac Ruto clashed over protocol.

The fundraiser at Tenwek High School attended by Ruto, Senators Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet), Prof Kindiki Kithure (Tharaka Nithi) and Prof Wilfred Lessan (Kericho) ended prematurely after Lessan invited Kithure to speak before Ruto.
The senators wanted to speak first, saying they claimed they were heading to Tot in Elgeyo Marakwet for another event.

The function was thrown into disarray after Ruto interrupted the programme immediately Murkomen finished his speech and handed over the microphone to Lessan.

Ruto grabbed the microphone from Lessan and took over the programme, protesting that Members of the Bomet County Assembly had not been recognised.

Ruto dismissed the hurry by the senators as a flimsy excuse to run away from the “truth” of Pesa Mashinani’s popularity on the ground.

“You cannot say you are in a hurry when people have been waiting for you and want to share their burden with you,” said Ruto who was cheered by the crowd.

It was the second time in a month that the Jubilee legislators were clashing in public because of their differences over the referendum issue. A month ago, the Majority Leader in National Assembly Aden Duale clashed with Ruto in Narok.

Meanwhile, Ruto has hinted he may ditch the United Republican Party (URP) in the next General Election.

The Bomet Governor said threats to expel him will not stop his clamour for a national referendum.

He said parties are political outfits which one can be changed any time, adding he does not owe allegiance to URP but to the electorate.

Changed parties

“It is like any other outfit which can be changed at any time. I have never used the same party twice to run for office. I can change come 2017,” Ruto said.

URP leaders, led by Majority Leader Aden Duale, have threatened to expel members who support calls for a national referendum. Ruto is leading a campaign by governors called “Pesa Mashinani” which is pushing to have more funds allocated to the counties.

“It is not mandatory I use the same party to run. I can change and use any other party because my interest is service delivery,” said Ruto.

Ruto spoke at Siongiroi Ward in Chepalungu during the launch of a co-operative society at the weekend.

He added: “When I was elected MP in 1997, I was a Kanu member and in 2007, I was elected on an ODM ticket and now as governor, I am in URP. Who knows which party I will use in 2017?”
Ruto said party politics will not stop him from pushing for increased allocation to the counties.