‘Isaac Ruto digging own political grave' Kenyan South Rift MPs say

National Assembly Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso (second right) with other MPs after addressing the Press in support of Deputy President William Ruto at Parliament Building yesterday. [Photo: Moses Omusula/STANDARD]

NAIROBI: Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto’s branding of Deputy President William Ruto as a dictator unfit to rule ‘for obvious reasons’, drew angry reactions from the DP’s allies who warned the county chief he was digging his own political grave.

But a defiant Bomet governor declared he had no regrets for speaking out his mind and cited his vilification by the DP’s supporters as a pointer that the United Republican Party leader cannot tolerate dissenting voices hence he would be a ‘dangerous’ leader for the country.

In Parliament Buildings, 10 MPs from South Rift region led by Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso, whom the DP’s faction has publicly suggested is being groomed to oppose Isaac Ruto for the governor’s seat in the 2017 elections, viciously attacked the Bomet county chief.

“The DP is a leader whose national support base cannot be shaken by people of (Isaac) Ruto’s calibre. He should not waste his energy and time on a fool’s errand that will backfire on him sooner rather than later,” charged Dr Laboso. She alleged they were aware the governor was not acting alone but didn’t substantiate.

“We know whom Governor Ruto works for, whom he works with and what he is after. We urge him to confront his conscience and evaluate whether he is doing the right thing for the people of Bomet and the country as a whole,” she said.

Others present were senators Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet), Charles Keter (Kericho) and National Assembly members Benjamin Lagat (Ainamoi), Leonard Sang (Bureti), Ronald Tunoi (Bomet Central), Paul Savimbi (Chepalungu), Jackson Rop (Kipkelion West), Erick Keter (Belgut) and Joseph Limo (Kipkelion East).

And separately, MPs Ronald Tonui (Bomet Central), Paul Bii (Chepalungu), Leonard Sang (Bureti), Bernard Bett (Bomet East), Benjamin Langat (Ainamoi), Joseph Limo (Kipkelion West), Ken Kiloku (Narok East) and Johana Ngeno (Emurwa Dikirr) were furious with Ruto’s assertion that they have become the DP’s sycophants.

Mr Keter told the governor to stop trying to equate himself with the DP.

“Governor Ruto is not a big person. He should understand the politics of South Rift region. We are solely behind the DP and the Jubilee government. We are going to vote as a bloc,” vowed Keter.

Murkomen added: “The governor’s leadership style is antagonistic and violent. He hopes to dictate his thoughts to leaders because he has failed on the ground. Already there are candidates clamouring for his seat, this shows he has lost touch on the ground.”

He continued: “He is trying to bring part of the CORD (Coalition for Reforms and Democracy) agenda to divide Rift Valley voters. We are aware of the schemes and he will be defeated. He is on a suicide mission and his minority view will not defeat a majority view.”

“This is one man who is getting scared because the people of Bomet have identified someone electable. His are just but the kicks of a dying horse,” claimed Tonui.

But the Council of Governors chairman dismissed the MPs as the DP’s sycophants.

“The MPs are behaving as fellows who are simply drunk with power. All the problems affecting this nation are associated with the DP. The DP is always accused of having a hand in all problems Kenyans complain about,” said Ruto, who spoke to The Standard on phone from Sweden.

DOGS BARKING

“I will continue to push for what I believe is in the interest of the electorate. I know my mandate and I will take it head on. I have no regrets in what I have said. If you see lots of dogs barking, know the owner is around,” he went on in analogous language.

He questioned why the DP and MPs are busy holding rallies in counties over the weekends to discredit county governments, instead of offering solutions to problems affecting Kenyans.

Mr Bii claimed what was happening to the DP reminded one of what happened to retired President Moi before he ascended to the presidency.

“The likes of the late Taita Towett and Jean Seroney had totally opposed Moi ascending to the presidency. History is now repeating itself and Governor Ruto will suffer the same fate that the two politicians suffered,” said Bii.

“If there is any dictator then it is Governor Ruto. He runs the county like a one-man show. The Public Service Board of Bomet has been emasculated. Ruto rebelled against Moi until he was left behind in South Africa. He fought the late Kipkalya Kones but now he has picked on the wrong person,” stated Bii.

Chesumei MP Elijah Lagat said it is clear that Ruto has gone separate ways with the DP and the two cannot be brought together again.

“We are aware that this is a scheme to spoil the DPs political ascendancy by our detractors. We fear that Governor Ruto has been sucked into this scheme and that is why he is soldiering alone. Whoever will not be in the DP’s side in the South Rift will be consigned to political dustbins,” Langat claimed.

Murkomen questioned why the Bomet governor is at war with everybody, from the DP, MPs and the Members of the County Assembly.

“The Jubilee government was elected on the platform of devolution, what the DP and his sycophantic MPs is doing is to sabotage county governments. It is obvious in 2017, Jubilee will not be re-elected,” Ruto said.

—Additional reporting by Steve Mkawale and Charles Ngeno