Deputy President William Ruto tells leaders to back Jubilee, shun Governor Isaac Ruto

Kericho, Kenya: Leaders from Rift Valley led by Deputy President William Ruto have accused Council of Governors chairman Isaac Ruto of being a troublemaker in the Jubilee government.

Speaking at the weekend in Bureti, Kericho County, the leaders claimed the Governor was rocking the Jubilee boat from within, instead of delivering services to Bomet residents.

They said the his recent declaration that he would vie for the presidency in 2022 was a manifestation of empty politicking.

“The government is implementing projects to improve the lives of Kenyans but there are some people who want to fight it and we don’t understand what they aim to gain through such fights,” said the DP.

He reminded the Bomet Governor that he was elected to serve the people and he must therefore address their needs.

The DP, at the same time, warned Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony against associating himself with his Bomet counterpart lest he finds himself “locked in the store” during the 2017 elections.

“The Kericho Governor is a gentleman but he should serve residents. Don’t be fooled by someone who would lead you to lose touch with voters in the next election. I have said this point blank and during day time,” said Ruto.

Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso told the Bomet Governor that Rift Valley leaders had vowed to support Ruto for the presidency in 2022.

“We are telling him that it’s the DP we are talking about when we mention 2022. As Bomet leaders, we reject anyone with a contrary idea,” said Laboso.

They spoke at Kapkatet Stadium during a fundraising for Bureti Netebes Empowerment Women Organisation. Eleven MPs from the South Rift attended the function. Governor Ruto did not attend.

Chepalungu MP Paul Bii claims Ruto, the governor, was a “traitor”. “The only anointed leader to take over from President Uhuru Kenyatta is William Ruto,” said Bii.

Ainamoi MP Benjamin Langat said contrary to the Governor’s declaration that the DP was not welcome to South Rift if he keeps interfering with Bomet County affair, the DP was welcome to the area anytime.

“Do not be scared, you are at home in Bomet or Kericho and don’t let anyone scare you. The people of South Rift are fully behind you. Ignore the noise that sometimes emanates from South Rift. In 2017, we will vote for Uhuru to complete his term and in 2022, you will take over,” said Langat.

Former Roads minister Franklin Bett said he had joined the Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) to stay and urged the Kalejin community to stand with Ruto in 2022. 

Medical facilities

During the event, the DP announced that that the Government had set aside Sh800 million for purchases of medical equipment for Kericho and Sigowet sub district hospitals and that Governor Chepkwony should make an appointment with Ministry of Health officials to sign the deal.

Chepkwony defended his administration against accusations that some parts of the county had been marginalised. He said resources are divided equally among the wards and local Members of the County Assembly are involved in the allocation of resources.

 At the same time, the Bomet County government came under criticism for allegedly issuing a seven-day notice to Tililbei Water Company which supplies water to more than 40,000 Bureti residents in Kericho County that it would disconnect supply from its main source in Itare in Konoin constituency over a Sh39 million bill.

The Deputy President urged Governor Chepkwony to intervene over the mater by taking to his Bomet counterpart.

The DP declared that if the counties would fail to amicably solve the issue and ensure that water supply remained uninterrupted, he would personally intervene.

Earlier in the day, Ruto launched a Sh33 million Computed Tomography (CT) scan and dialysis machine at Kapkatet District Hospital in Bureti constituency purchased through the local Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

He pledged that the hospital would receive Sh20 million for the construction of ICU equipment and that an additional similar amount would go towards the construction of classrooms at Kapkatet Medical Training College (MTC).

He said Sh15 billion would be spent on road projects in the South Rift.