Relinquish URP to us, Governor Ruto tells Deputy President

Another political storm is brewing in Deputy President William Ruto’s United Republican Party (URP) with two governors from South Rift telling the DP to surrender the party to “loyal” members. The new push to take over control of URP – a major partner in the Jubilee government — is part of a strategy employed by Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto to cut a niche for himself in the South Rift, which is slightly more populous than North Rift where the DP comes from.

Leading the onslaught against the DP is Ruto, his Kericho counterpart Paul Chepkwony and Kuresoi South MP Zakayo Cheruiyot, who have been at loggerheads with the DP over the formation of the Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP).