Kericho MCAs change House leadership again after Ruto's intervention

Kericho County Assembly Ward representatives speaking after a meeting on Assembly leadership in Nakuru. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Kericho county assembly has changed its leadership again after intervention by President William Ruto.

The president tasked his deputy Rigathi Gachagua to resolve the leadership wrangles that rocked the assembly last week on Friday.

During a closed-door meeting in the DP's office that was attended by the MCAs, Kericho Governor Erick Mutai, Senator Aron Cheruiyot and Women Representative Beatrice Kemei, they resolved to change the House leadership to end wrangles.

Gachagua supervised the election of the new assembly leadership - majority leader, deputy majority leader, majority chief whip and deputy majority leader.

Philip Rono of Kamasian ward was elected as Leader of Majority, Deputy Majority Leader position went to Nominated MCA Fancy Chepkorii Korir, while Aaron Rotich and Bavina Serem were elected Majority Whip and Deputy Majority Whip respectively.

"After hours of consultations we have zeroed down that the problem in Kericho stems from struggle for people to lead and misunderstandings over House leadership. The leaders unanimously agreed to solve the outstanding issues," said Gachagua.

The DP said the leadership was changed to the satisfaction of all members and the minutes were recorded by the UDA Secretary General Senator Veronicah Maina.

"The Speaker of Kericho assembly will convene a special sitting immediately to formalise these appointments so that the county assembly gets settled and MCAs embark on economic transformation," he said.

Gachagua was tasked by the president to invite the county leadership to iron out the issues causing conflict in the House and restoring normalcy

"During our campaigns, the president and I were in Kericho repeatedly and gave an undertaking to superintend over and supervise in Kericho county, it is the president's position that no meaningful development can happen in the atmosphere that exists in Kericho," said the DP.

During a thanksgiving service at Bomet Green stadium on Sunday, President Ruto reprimanded the MCAs for fighting in the chambers which has seen the House leadership change four times in four months.

"I am telling all UDA members across the country that elections are over and we have a responsibility to facilitate development. Where there are issues that party' mechanism is available to help resolve those issues without going into such embarrassing situation we saw in Kericho" said the DP.

Gachagua further announced that he will be resolving the leadership row in Meru county after Ruto tasked him to initiate dialogue to restore peace and stability in the county.

"Next we will have a round-table meeting with Meru governor, MCAs, MPs, senator with a view of restoring peace I the county. In the previous meetings with them, they unanimously agreed there is need to unite for the growth of the county," he said.