Deputy President William Ruto and Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto
engaged in a public war of words at fundraising in aid of women groups
Saturday with their supporters engaging in shouting matches.
The
political differences between the two former bosom friends turned
political foes hit a boiling point as they publicly traded accusations
to the surprise of the dignitaries present.
Trouble started when Governor Ruto told the DP that he needs to rein in MPs who have been insulting and undermining him.
Governor
Ruto at one point threatened to bring the meeting to an end by leading a
walk out after the DPs supporters shouted him down.
Senator Wilfred Lessan was also booed by the public who demanded to know why he deserted them after the election.
He
was forced to cut short his speech and resume his seat as Bomet Central
MP Ronald Tonui who was the master of ceremony laughed it off telling
the senator that he was paying the price of not bringing his supporters
to the meeting.
Bomet DC Benard Leparmarai and the police had a hard time restraining the public from moving to the dais.
STOP INSULTS
“In
your absence, MPs have been going round insulting me and publicly
stating that they have your blessings to do so,” Mr Ruto said.
“Unless
you stop the MPs from insulting us, the political rift in Rift Valley
will widen before the next general election and threaten the unity of
the Kalenjin community,” he added.
Amidst shouts from
the public the governor said, “If these hecklers cannot be stopped…we
can bring this meeting to an abrupt end... we can lead people out of
this meeting if the nonsense continues,” the governor said at the
fundraiser in aid of Joyful Women Organisation (Joywo) whose patron is
the DP’s wife Rachel Ruto.
The governor also criticised the government over the resettlement of Mau evictees.
“It
is sad that while IDPs were awarded Sh450,000, Mau evictees are still
languishing in camps with the government promising them Sh150,000,” Ruto
said.
When it came to the DP’s turn to address the public, he accused Mr Ruto of dividing the Kalenjins.
“You
can’t threaten us that you will bring this meeting to an end. This is
my meeting and you should stop engaging in rhetorical politics,” Ruto
said.
He said, “This is my turf and I can’t be threatened. The mentality of dividing the people is primitive and backward.
“All of us were elected by the people and none of us is in an elective position by default,” the DP said.
“I
have heard people talking about not knowing who between the two Rutos
will be elected President. Is it not clear that there is a difference
between Isaac and William?” The DP wondered.
DEFENDED GOVERNMENT
The DP also defended the government on the Mau evictees’ issue.
“You can’t lecturer us on how to resettle the evictees for President Uhuru Kenyatta and I know what we are doing.
“Nothing
will deter us from moving forward and delivering what we promised the
people in the campaigns ahead of the last general election,” said the
DP.
The DP also waded into the controversial issue of
the proposed Bomet University College to be built by Moi University
saying a technical training institute in the heart of Bomet Town would
be converted into a university.
He said five technical
training institutes had been earmarked for construction in Bomet East,
Konoin, Sotik, Chapalungu and Bomet Central.
“Modern
medical equipment to the tune of Sh425 million will be delivered to
Longisa County Referral Hospital and another batch worth Sh380 million
will be given to Ndanai Health Centre,” DP Ruto said.
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