Rift leaders clash over push for vote

North Rift, Kenya: The ongoing referendum debate has degenerated into a war of words between two North Rift leaders in the Jubilee.

Senate devolution chairman and also Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and Nandi Governor Cleophas Lagat were engaged in a bitter exchange of words.

Dr Lagat has broken ranks with the Jubilee coalition's stand to oppose the referendum by saying it would guarantee more development funds in the counties.

"There are several MPs and senators who have forgotten their roles. They are busy moving around the country using choppers to hoodwink the public on devolution," said Lagat while addressing a press conference in Kapsabet town last week.

But Murkomen, who was accompanied by Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki in his county at the weekend, fired back and dismissed Lagat's sentiments.

He claimed the Nandi governor was faced with accountability issues and was using the referendum push to hide his ineptitude in service delivery at the county. "I am not asking the governor to account for his family's money but for public funds," he said.

Mandera East MP Abdulaziz Ali, who represented Leader of Majority in the National Assembly Aden Duale at a fundraiser in Elgeyo Marakwet, said it was worrying when leaders of a community exchange words in public, saying this might undermine the URP.