Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago defends Isaac Ruto

ELDORET, KENYA: Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandago has come to the defense of his Bomet counterpart Isaac Ruto vindicating him from internal fighting within the United Republican Party (URP).

Governor Ruto who is also the chairman of the governors' council has lately been at loggerheads with the Deputy President William Ruto accusing him of being dictatorial and fighting devolution.

But Mandago while speaking in Kesses during the burial of former Councilor Sylvester Kibiwott over the weekend defended Bomet governor saying the governor was politically frustrated by a senior politician in South Rift.

He said Kericho Senator Charles Keter was behind political woes in the URP party and had estranged the Bomet governor and defended Governor Ruto as a staunch party supporter who was being frustrated and undermined by Keter.

"He (Kericho senator) is the one causing this political upheavals, he has not considered consulting us before making critical decisions, he should be bold enough and change his ways or allow other able leaders to take charge," Mandago said.

According to Mandago, the chairman of governors' council is being wrongly accused of criticising the party and working with the opposition yet the problem is with Keter who has sought to conduct party activities individually and arriving at decisions which are not all-inclusive.

He accused Keter who is among key founders of URP of favoring South Rift region   at the expense of the North Rift in State appointments.

"Respect to all leaders in our party is paramount if we are to achieve unity in URP, some individuals have taken advantage of their position and access channels to party leader to propagate selfish agendas. They make those who are genuine advocators of unity be seen as detractors," said Mandago.

Governor Ruto and senator Keter have had political rivalry over who has sway of the South Rift politics and the two have constantly differed.

Mandago's sentiments were strongly backed by Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi and Nandi County Women Representative Zipporah Kering who accused Keter of influencing recent appointments of parastatal heads by altering a list discussed.

However speaking in Kericho over the weekend, Keter who is among URP's founders, told Ruto and his Kericho counterpart Paul Chepkwony to tow the party lines or quit since party leaders and supporters have had enough of bickering and constant criticism.

He said, the duo would not be allowed to divide the Kalenjin community through their contempt of the party and disrespect towards its leader and the DP William Ruto.

"We have had enough of their noises and I now challenge Governors Ruto and Chepkwony to make up their mind to spell if they are either in URP or quit the party," he said.