Keep off, Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua tells leaders from four counties

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto gives his contribution to former Rongai MP Luca Kigen at Salgaa during a funds drive ceremony on Saturday 8, 2015. PHOTOS: HENRY KWENYA

A storm is brewing over recent forays into Nakuru County by politicians from neighbouring counties ostensibly to resolve burning land issues and marginalisation of some areas.

Governor Kinuthia Mbugua and local leaders have been rattled by “interference in Nakuru affairs” by leaders in neighbouring Bomet, Narok, Kajiado and Kiambu.

Politicians from these counties have been traversing Nakuru to assist “their people”, majority who trace their origin to the neighbouring counties. This has complicated the sensitive land problem in the county, which has been a major source of conflict among resident communities.

“We are not short of leaders who can arbitrate in our land issues and there is no vacuum. We are not comfortable with the interference by politicians from those counties,” a visibly angry Mbugua said.

Politicians from Kiambu and Narok counties have been feuding over the controversial 22,000-acre Utheri wa Lari Farm in Mai Mahiu, drawing the ire of Nakuru leaders where the land is situated.

The land was sold between 1974 and 1983, but a protracted court battle halted its sub-division, leading to occasional bloody clashes among those claiming ownership. Last weekend, Kiambu Senator Kimani Wamatangi led Utheri Wa Lari shareholders to the farm to hold prayers and cleanse it after two people were killed in January.

“I will not rest until I see all members have taken what is rightly theirs. The time when people claimed ownership of property without supporting documents is gone,” Wamatangi said.

Skewed development

The Kiambu Senator is not the only one irking Mbugua. The Nakuru Governor has also criticised a group of Maasai leaders led by Kajiado Senator Peter Mositet, his Narok counterpart Stephen ole Ntutu and Narok East MP Ken Aramat, who held a rally near the disputed land where they vowed that the Maasai community would not move out.

But it is a recent fundraiser at Salgaa trading centre by Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto that has caused anger among Nakuru leaders and which has been interpreted as a show of disrespect.

The harambee, held to assist suspects arrested for allegedly burning down a Sh50 million fire engine two months ago, turned into a forum to attack Deputy President William Ruto and Mbugua.

Governor Ruto has visited Nakuru frequently to raise funds for churches and schools. He has also held political meetings, especially in the areas of Mauche, Kuresoi, Olenguruone and Kiptagich.

It is during such political meetings that the Bomet governor claimed the DP had sidelined the South Rift by concentrating major development projects in the North Rift. Local leaders who accompanied him — former Rongai MP Luka Kigen, Rev Lawrence Bomet and former councillor Joshua Cheruiyot — also turned the heat on Mbugua, calling on the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to intervene on issues of skewed development in Nakuru.

But Mbugua has hit back, accusing Ruto of disrespect. “Nakuru is not an extension of Bomet and he should keep off. We are not happy. Why should he come all the way to raise funds for people implicated in a crime?” the Nakuru governor asked.

Mbugua warned that the fragile co-existence among communities residing in Nakuru should not be taken lightly and warned politicians from outside the county to tread carefully.

“Nakuru is and has been peaceful through efforts of local leaders and communities determined to live in peace. All we are asking is that politicians from neighbouring counties respect us,” he said.

He claimed some politicians from Rift Valley were using Mauche and other areas in the county as a launching pad for their political interests in neighbouring counties.

The Bomet governor insists that he is free to visit any part of the country he wishes. “I can’t be stopped from visiting Nakuru County since some of my supporters reside there. I always offer a helping hand when invited by members of Kipsigis community who reside in Nakuru,” Ruto said in response.

Mr Aramat dismissed claims that Maasai leaders are meddling in the affairs of Nakuru, saying Maasai MPs were only defending the interests of their people residing there.

Community interests

“We all belong to the Jubilee government which came to power under the platform of peace and we have no problem with Mbugua. We, however, have a responsibility of ensuring the interest of our people is taken care of,” the MP said.

A section of leaders from Salgaa have also rushed to the defence of the Bomet governor. They say they had no choice but to invite Governor Ruto to the funds-drive as the local leadership had snubbed them.

“Governor Ruto has always referred to Mbugua as a friend and he never fails to mention that he has sought his permission before attending the meetings,” said Cheruiyot, a former councillor.

Jonathan Rono, one of Ruto’s political allies, says Mauche residents believe the Bomet governor is one of their community leaders.

“We voted for Mbugua but he abandoned us soon after he took office,” he says.