Senator, MP clash over Kipsigis spokesperson post

Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot and Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ngeno. [File, Standard]

Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot and Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ngeno have differed over Kipsigis community kingpin.

This comes a day after Ngeno was installed as an elder of the Kipsigis community in what many political analysts say has implications on President William Ruto's succession in the Rift Valley region.

On Monday, Cheruiyot accused the MP of imposing himself as the community spokesperson for selfish interest.

He claimed Ngeno has ignored the community-established leadership structures and is pretending to be the voice of the the people.

"We don't know where he came from or who endorsed him and which elders have endorsed him," Cheruiyot said.

This comes after Ngeno was coronated as the Kalenjin kingpin recently to succeed President Ruto should he win a second term.

The elders agreed to install the MP because of his exemplary leadership and hard work.

Political analyst Kipkemoi Barsumei, who also served as a former Mayor of the defunct Bomet Municipal Council, said the installation was political and not for the good of the community since Ruto is still the community's spokesperson.

"There is a procedure for installation as Kipsigis elders, Ngeno is playing politics and upping his stakes in the South Rift region. There is nothing much in the coronation," Barsumei said.

But Ngeno insisted that the unity of the community is paramount and they must speak in one voice.

"My coronation was not political but to lead the community to advocate and negotiate on their behalf because of my leadership qualities spanning 15 years and track record after the elders realised that I have done a lot for the community," he said.

The row between the MP and Emurua Dikiir MCAs resulted in a physical confrontation of supporters during the burial of Kalenjin comedian Nicholas Rotich alias "Chongin" last Friday at Kapsasian in Transmara East.

This happened after Ngeno failed to recognise the MCAs present leading to the confrontation.