Supremacy battle between Deputy President William Ruto and Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto continues

Deputy President William Ruto (right) with Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto

There is no end in sight for the political squabbles over the control of Rift Valley between Deputy President William Ruto and Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto.

The former Council of Governors chairman said he will not let up his quest to ensure the region is led democratically and without restricting other leaders from speaking their minds.

Speaking at a function at the Bomet Green stadium yesterday, Governor Ruto said some leaders were being fought unfairly for speaking their mind.

He said it was time every leader is given space to speak his or her mind for posterity of the Kalenjin community.

"It is very unfortunate that when you speak your mind on issues that are beneficial to the community, you are fought right, left and centre with threats to be overthrown from your position," Mr Ruto said.

Despite a plea by the Kalenjin Myoot Council of Elders representatives to stop the fight for the sake of unity within the community, Ruto said it was sad that URP party leadership, through which the Deputy President campaigned, stopped calling meetings which were key in holding them together, for selfish interests.

The function, that was to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of a local vernacular radio station was marred by political undertones pitting the two Kalenjin politicians.

Governor Alex Tolgos, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso, Bomet Senator Wilfred Lesan, MPs Paul Bii (Chepalungu), Leonard Sang (Bureti), Johana Ng'eno (Emurua Dikirr), Alfred Keter (Nandi Hills) and political advisor in the Office of the President Joshua Kuttuny attended the function held at Bomet Green Stadium.

"We should be asking ourselves what happened that we are no longer consulting each other on issues of interest to our community and holding onto selfish interests. That should be discouraged," Ruto said.

VOTING MACHINES

The governor said he regretted that the community had been turned into a voting machine that was dumped after every election.

"There is no point of us voting in governments that do not take heed of the needs of their people. That is why we make noise and no one should tell me to keep quiet," he said.

Mr Kuttuny, however, said it was time leaders with divergent opinion from the community come together and embraced one another a head of the next election.

"We have not reached where we are going and it is wise that everyone comes to the table and issues are ironed out for the sake of the future of the community," he said.

Mr Keter said the era of trying to silence vocal leaders from the community was long gone. Keter said everyone should be given space to speak and air his views. "The habit that our party leadership has adopted is dangerous for the community and it poses a lot of risks," he said.