William Ruto facing backlash in Rift for defending Ann Waiguru

TOP: Deputy President William Ruto addresses a rally in Kericho last Saturday. [PHOTOS: FILE/ STANDARD]

Kenya: The transfer of former National Youth Service (NYS) boss Kiplimo Rugut, and Deputy President William Ruto’s subsequent defence of the matter has stoked a new wave of protests by Rift Valley MPs who feel the region is getting a raw deal in the Jubilee coalition.

The DP, who has been accused of being too soft on the TNA side at the expense of his URP party, is now being accused of settling for second fiddle.

A section of URP supporters are now convinced the coalition government is giving them a raw deal contrary to the 50:50 pre-election agreement.

Rift Valley legislators including Elijah Lagat (Chesumei), Stephen Bitok (Mosop), Julius Melly (Tinderet), and Zakayo Cheruiyot (Kuresoi South) have criticised “the manner in which the DP is responding to issues.”

 Matters appear to have worsened when Mr Ruto travelled to his backyard last weekend and defended Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru over claims she did not follow the law in replacing Mr Rugut as NYS Director with Dr Nelson Githinji. A section of Rift MPs see the move as part of an ongoing “purge” against the region.

Ruto spoke amid plans to impeach Ms Waiguru, saying he and the president were responsible for Rugut’s transfer.

However, outspoken Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter says he is convinced the DP was compromised to sign the coalition deal. “I think he (DP) was compromised to sign the deal because we are not seeing the provisions of the deal being implemented. He needs to come clean on this issue so that we find ways of addressing them,” he said.

Mr Keter expressed displeasure with the manner in which Rugut was transferred terming it a ‘coup’. Among other things the MP argues has contributed to discontent in the region is stalled development projects that have failed to kick off since Jubilee came to power over one year ago.

“Roads commissioned by former President Kibaki have stalled yet this leadership is quick to judge leaders who try to correct them. As if that is not enough, the DP is sabotaging processes in county governments. This has not been received positively by people who had a lot of faith in him,” Keter adds.

Challenges

The lawmaker cited Mosoriot- Kaiboi and Cheptiret-Baraton roads —both in Nandi County — and Ziwa Road in Uasin Gishu County.

Leaders also pointed out plummeting tea prices, looming hunger and insecurity as some challenges the Jubilee government has failed to address.

Keter and other local leaders spoke as President Uhuru Kenyatta visited Eldoret, in an apparent move to stem discontent. On Wednesday, Kenyatta addressed roadside rallies, and said critics would not scatter Jubilee’s plans to develop the nation.

Mr Lagat warned that MPs will not be stopped from fighting for the rights of the electorate who propelled them power adding that the oversight role is their responsibility.

“I am willing to rally behind Keter and we will not be cowed from telling the truth for the interest of the country. We want to see development projects up and running and we should not be stopped when we point out mistakes in government,” Lagat said.

“The removal of Rugut for instance was a shock to all of us. We stand as a community that we will team up to know the reason why he was sacked through an SMS. Most people in this government right now are misplaced and that is why we are witnessing all these problems,” he added

A prominent businessman in the region, who sought anonymity, warned leaders against engaging in petty politics saying this will affect development. “They should know this country will not stop because of them. There are better mechanisms of addressing challenges rather than displaying your level of tribalism in public,” he said.

At a recent rally in Kericho, the DP told off Keter saying those who go around ‘making noise’ are brokers who have hidden agenda.

On ongoing political debate, the Director of Communication in the Deputy President’s Office Emmanuel Talam said: “If Keter is saying the DP was compromised then let him produce the pre-election coalition document and we will respond.”

He added: “The DP responded to the same issues last week in Kericho and I don’t think there is anything more to add.”  

One legislator, who asked not to be named said, “Ruto must move swiftly in addressing these issues because as it is right now, it’s not just us leaders that are unhappy, residents too are not comfortable with the way things are turning out. Kenyatta promised on Wednesday a visit to the region to discuss development issues. That was a clear indication they are aware people are not impressed.”

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen regretted that the Kalenjin community is losing respect because of the manner in which party issues are being handled. Mr Murkomen, an ally of the DP, admits there are challenges but addressing them with arrogance and pride is not a solution.

“The community is looking stupid. In fact, we are becoming the laughing stock because of the manner in which we are addressing these issues. In life, we must have a strategy and however much you are wronged, you must understand where you are going,” he said.

He dismissed leaders who have been vocal saying they are looking for ‘cheap publicity and personal achievement’. “Whether in the case of Joseph and his brother in the Bible or former presidents Moi and Jomo Kenyatta, history has proved that leaders who have demonstrated humility are likely to go far.”

He said a section of URP members including Oscar Sudi (Kapseret), Jackson Kiptanui (Keiyo South), Kericho Senator Charles Keter among others had met and discussed possible solutions to challenges facing the party.

“I do not deny we have challenges but it is important to address them amicably. We have met with some members and decided we will not fall into the trap of our enemies. We want to provide solutions,” he noted.

On appointments, Murkomen maintained this was being used to overshadow serious issues that need to be addressed.

This is not the first time Ruto is facing criticism in the region.

Recently, party leaders criticised the jubilee coalition saying Ruto was being ‘shortchanged’ in government appointments. This caused a stir in government and forced the President and other top jubilee leaders to intervene by holding a rally in Eldoret.

This time though, supporters, largely from the South Rift region are unhappy with the manner in which the DP is responding to their concerns as well as those from leaders.

In a radio talk show this week, party supporters said they were specifically irked by the manner in which Ruto responded to the removal of Rugut.

Political analysts argue what could have brought TNA and URP together during the elections could equally divide them.

Dr Adams Oloo, a political science lecturer at the University of Nairobi and analyst concurs that cases facing Kenyatta and Ruto at the International Criminal Court (ICC) was the main reason why they struck a coalition deal.

“To understand why there is a lot of discontent in the region, one must understand that both parties came together because of cases facing the two at The Hague.”

Compromised

“In a way, from the DPs side, supporters feel that Kenyatta was genuinely exempted from appearing in court while Ruto benefited by default,” Oloo adds.

He also argues that ongoing rumuors that the DP could have been compromised to sign the pre-election deal could also be a reason for discontent.

This, he says, has made party supporters feel left out in major government decisions and opportunities especially appointments.

Prof Macharia Munene, a professor of History and International Relations at the USIU, says politicians in the region are trying to get recognition for future gains.

“People are simply trying to prepare for the future by ensuring they get recognition now,” he adds.