Uasin Gishu governor distances himself from spiteful bloggers

Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii aka Koti Moja. [Peter Ochieng, Standard]

A political schism is forming among a group of elected leaders in Uasin Gishu County, President William Ruto's home county.

All is not well among United Democratic Alliance (UDA) leaders, as social media platforms continue to be a source of political contention.

Despite Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii aka Koti Moja's distance from any political squabbles, Soy MP David Kiplagat accuses his handlers of allegedly demeaning elected leaders.

Kiplagat says some hired social media bloggers have been tracking and discrediting some elected officials by painting negative images of them.

"There is a pattern that is growing consistently ever since the governor was sworn in, instead of taking the higher pedestal bestowed on him by the people of Uasin Gishu to bring all elected and opinion leaders together, he has decided to hire social media bloggers and political brokers to discredit elected leaders, especially myself," Kiplagat said in a statement on his Facebook page.

The legislator said bloggers were going around Soy constituency functions making unprintable statements about him.

"This has been going on for three months, and it's all in the name of 2027 politics, which is five years away.

"I want to implore the governor that campaigns are over and it is now time to deliver services," Kiplagat said.

He challenges Governor Bii in the statement, saying, "Find for your team something of economic value to engage in rather than following and discrediting leaders in the name of campaigning for you for re-election in 2027."

He went on to accuse the governor of not convening any leaders meetings since his election.

"2027 will come and go, what is important is to capture this opportunity and deliver the Nguzo Kumi manifesto to Uasin Gishu residents and we the MPs will play our role. Please take note that you are the CEO of the county, and you have not called us in the last 100 days to discuss the county's development agenda," Kiplagat said.

But, in an interview with The Standard yesterday, Bii distanced himself from any political issues.

"I don't have time for that. I am currently working on issues that will transform the livelihoods of the people of Uasin Gishu," Governor Bii said.

Separately, on the phone, Kiplagat said: "Bloggers are spreading unprintable insults on the governor's orders, and he has not intervened to stop them."

"The governor should focus on development," he said. "He has never called a meeting of the community leaders. Our only meeting was at an interdenominational prayer meeting on Christmas Day, which was attended by President William Ruto."

Kiplagat hosted ten North Rift MPs at his Nyalilbei home in Soy on Thursday, saying the indoor meeting would focus on strategies to accelerate economic development in the region.

The meeting was attended by legislators Julius Rutto (Kesses), Adams Kipsanai (Keiyo North), Gideon Maiyo (Keiyo South), Toroitich Mutai (Marakwet est), Jose Lelemengit (Emgwen), Joseph Makilap (Baringo North), Abraham Kirwa (Mosop) and Alfred Mutai (Kuresoi North).