KENYA: Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony has demanded an apology from Leader of Majority in the National Assembly Aden Duale over claims that he (Chepkwony) and his Bomet counterpart Isaac Ruto were promised millions of dollars to challenge DP William Ruto's leadership in the Rift Valley.
In a signed demand letter to the Garissa Township MP, Chepkwony's lawyer Peter Wanyama has demanded that an apology be published in a leading newspaper and Duale admits liability for the claims he made in Kericho County at the weekend. Chepkwony says the offending utterances were made by Duale last Friday at Borborwet as well as Kaplutiet Secondary School in Bureti Constituency.
Chepkwony has termed the utterances "false, malicious, destructive and defamatory".
During his speech at Borborwet, Duale claimed Chepkwony and Ruto had been roped in by CORD leader Raila Odinga in a political scheme that would allegedly be funded by the United States government.
Duale claimed the plan was to challenge Deputy President William Ruto's leadership and other prominent United Republican Party (URP) leaders in Rift Valley.
"The CORD leader had lied to Chepkwony and Ruto that during President Barack Obama's visit to the country, he would receive USD1 billion for the Okoa Kenya referendum initiative. Chepkwony would receive Sh100 million and Ruto a downpayment of Sh50 million to rebel against Deputy President William Ruto, among other leaders," said Duale.
Chepkwony argued that the said statements were intended to injure and damage his image and reputation in the eyes of the public, professional colleagues, family and friends.
The governor argued that as a result of the aforesaid defamatory words, his character and reputation had allegedly been injured.
"Our client has been greatly embarrassed and suffered loss and damage," said Wanyama. Chepkwony wants Duale to retract and unequivocally publicise an appropriate apology in a newspaper that enjoys nationwide circulation.
"Take notice that unless we receive your admission of liability and confirmation of retraction within fourteen days, our instructions are to commence proceedings against you without further reference to you," reads part of the letter.
Londiani Ward Representative in the Kericho County Assembly (MCAs) Jackson Kikwai also reacted angrily to Duale's comments.
"Duale should keep off our governor. It's Kericho residents who overwhelmingly elected him and they know why and still love him. Duale has his own governor who he should focus his tirade on," said Kikwai.
Duale also accused the Odinga family of owing Mumias Sugar Company Sh40 million.
