Battle of Deputy President William Ruto and Governor Isaac Ruto as supremacy wars intensify in Rift Valley

Political differences between Deputy President William Ruto and Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto hit boiling point yesterday when the two faced off at a fundraiser in Bomet County.

Governor Ruto publicly told off the Deputy President during the function accusing him of using local MPs to undermine his leadership.

He said local legislators allied to the DP, are touring the county frequently hurling insults at him and questioning how he was managing the county.

“These MPs are always moving around the county throwing insults and spreading propaganda claiming you have sent them. This is totally unacceptable,” Ruto said.

At one point during his address, Governor Ruto threatened to lead a mass walkout after a group of youths started heckling him and cheering the Deputy President.

“You better tell those hecklers to keep quiet or we bring the function to an end. We deserve respect,” said a furious Ruto.

In a highly charged function filled with political undertones, Ruto said he would not allow the National Government to dictate how the county would be managed. However, when he rose to speak, the Deputy President dismissed Governor Ruto’s walk out threats.

Empty threats

Terming the threats as empty, Ruto (Deputy President) said he was at home and will not be intimidated. “I am at home here in Bomet and nobody will threaten me with non-issues like ending a peaceful meeting for political mileage. We should ignore such prophets of doom propagating divisions and forge ahead with development,” the Deputy President said.

In a veiled attack against the vocal governor, the Deputy President accused him of being an agent of division within the community.

“It is sad that when we are preaching unity, some people are busy tearing us apart. We will not listen to those diving us on the basis of North and South Rift. I remain in charge,” the Deputy President said.

He vowed to spearhead a transformation of United Republican Party (URP) ahead of the 2017 elections. Earlier during the function, supporters of Governor Ruto heckled leaders who dared mention him in bad light.

The face off between the two Rutos yesterday during the fundraising in aid of the Joyful Women Organisation, brought to the fore supremacy battles over control of the expansive Rift Valley. Politicians also joined in this tirade as they defended their generals.

“I respect Governor Ruto so much but he should try and confine himself to issues on governance of the county and stop trying to stop the Deputy President from taking over from President Uhuru Kenyatta come 2022,” Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu said.

DP in charge

Backing the deputy president, Waititu advised the Bomet governor to be patient and wait for his term.

“Hold your horses, your time will come. For now, support the Deputy President since we have decided. Nothing will change overnight and make you ahead of him since you are only managing a county and Deputy President in charge of the entire nation,” Waititu said.

Those present at the event included Sotik MP Joyce Laboso, Cecilia Mbarire (Runyejes), Paul Bii (Chepalungu) and Senators Kembi Kithura (Murang’a) and Wilfred Lesan (Bomet).

Also in attendance were Members of Bomet County Assembly led by Speaker Geoffrey Kipngetich. Leaders also spoke against plans by the International Criminal Court to use recanted statements in the case facing Ruto at The Hague.

Elsewhere, two URP MPs claimed that the government is not doing enough to help the Deputy President in his ICC case. Bomet East MP Bernard Bett and his Bomet Central counterpart Ronald Tonui said since President Uhuru Kenyatta’s case was dismissed, the government had taken a low profile on the case.

Bett said it is wrong for their coalition partners to talk of supporting Ruto in 2022 yet not showing any willingness to help in the case.

“The high level of diplomacy that was witnessed when the President faced similar charges is now totally lacking. We are reading this with a lot of suspicion,” said Bett.

He claimed the State Law Office was silent even after the court stated that it was going to use recanted statements against the DP.

“As leaders from the URP wing, we are very apprehensive about the total lack of commitment from the government side. Indeed, the whole government should be showing solidarity with the DP at this moment but that is not the case,” said Bett.

They hinted that leaders from the entire Rift Valley will convene a special prayer meeting for the DP in a venue to be disclosed next week.

He said the prayer forums will be similar to the ones witnessed before the ones held immediately for the six Kenyan leaders who were mentioned and later on summoned by the court.

Tonui said it is saddening to see Abdalla engage in attempts to bring peace in South Sudan while doing little for the DP.

“We want to be told under what circumstances was article 68 which allowed the use of recanted statements signed. We are told that the Ministry of foreign affairs signed it and should thus give us the details,” said Tonui.

And on Friday, Ruto’s wife, Rachel, said she was optimistic that her husband would be vindicated in the case against him at the ICC.

Mrs Ruto thanked Kenyans for their continued prayers over the same, pointing out that the Deputy President was falsely accused.

She said it has been a tough journey but she trusts in God and all will be well. “Thank you and continue praying for us. It is not an easy thing especially if you know you are being accused falsely,” she said adding. “No sooner than we know, it is going to be behind us”.

She said Kenyans know what happened in 2007-2008 post election violence that led to the ICC.

Mrs Ruto spoke at Sosiot Girls Secondary School, Kericho County where she was the guest of honor during the 25th celebration of Africa Gospel Church (AGC) National Women conference.