Apologise, elders tell Ruto over jail remark

What you need to know:

  • Kanu leaders from Rift Valley led by secretary-general Nick Salat have downplayed the political rivalry between the DP and Senator Moi, terming Mr Ruto’s sentiments unfortunate.
  • Gotab Myot Council of Elders led by Daniel Moi want Mr Ruto to apologise for alleging that his opponents want him jailed over the crimes against humanity charges he is facing at the International Criminal Court.
  • The protest almost turned violent at Maili Nane centre when a pro-Kuttuny group refused the pro-Ruto group from holding a rally. Anti-riot police intervened and restored calm.

Rivalry between Deputy President William Ruto and Kanu leader Gideon Moi moved a notch higher after some elders joined the fray.

Gotab Myot Council of Elders led by Daniel Moi want Mr Ruto to apologise for alleging that his opponents want him jailed over the crimes against humanity charges he is facing at the International Criminal Court.

They elders took issue with claims by the DP that his critics wants to wrest power from him ahead of the his planned succession of President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2022.

However, some youths have defended Mr Ruto, accusing his opponents of political mudslinging.

According to the elders, the claims by the DP are likely to divide the Kalenjins and shatter their dreams of retaking power.

Mr Ruto and former radio journalist Joshua Sang are standing trial at The Hague-based court, following the 2007/08 disputed presidential elections chaos that claimed 1,333 lives and displacement of thousands.

The elders’ councils termed Mr Ruto’s remarks as a taboo in the Kalenjin community.

Yesterday, some youths threw their weight behind the DP, saying they are confident he will succeed President Kenyatta.

“This a smear campaign by some leaders in the Rift Valley who are fighting Mr Ruto using the ICC trial,” Kerio Youths Association leader Joel Kimaiyo said.

Two weeks ago, the DP claimed Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto and President Kenyatta’s political advisor Joshua Kuttuny are hoping he is jailed.

“These leaders are being misled by outsiders to undermine our kingpin,” Mr Kimaiyo said.

“We are just a stone’s throw away from the highest office. We should support our own to take over power after President Kenyatta,” Samuel  Lagat from  Chepkumia in Nandi said.

The youths cited former ministers Franklin Bett, Musa Sirma and Magerer Lagat who have ditched ODM for Mr Ruto’s URP.

UNFORTUNATE

Kanu leaders from Rift Valley led by secretary-general Nick Salat have downplayed the political rivalry between the DP and Senator Moi, terming Mr Ruto’s sentiments unfortunate.

They have demanded apology from the DP over the jailing claims. Mr Salat said Kanu is now cautioning the Kalenjin community against blindly supporting the newly formed Jubilee Alliance Party.

The official spoke on Saturday at Loboi in Baringo South Sub-County during the burial of Nominated Kanu Member of the County Assembly Mathew Chang’ole. He told off rivals whom he said were beginning to panic over Kanu’s growing popularity in the vote-rich Rift Valley.

“We want to send a strong message to our rivals that this is just the beginning of tough times ahead for them. They have said that they would support a Kalenjin presidency in 2022 but we are saying why not 2017?” The Secretary-General said.

Kanu’s heightened activities in the Rift Valley has not gone down well with Mr Ruto’s allies. Chairman Gideon Moi recently held a “breakfast meeting” with the Bomet governor, Narok Senator Stephen Ole Ntutu — both vocal critics of the DP — Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony and Mr Nick Salat.

In Cherangany, Trans Nzoia County two groups clashed when a pro-Ruto group held anti-Kuttuny demonstrations.

The protest almost turned violent at Maili Nane centre when a pro-Kuttuny group refused the pro-Ruto group from holding a rally. Anti-riot police intervened and restored calm.

Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on Rift Valley leaders opposed to the DP to tone down their attacks.

Seventeen Nakuru URP Members of the County Assemblies vowed to stand with Mr Ruto irrespective of the outcome of his case at The Hague.

Deputy Leader of Majority Paul Chebor urged leaders from region to pray for the DP.

Speaking to the Nation in Nakuru Town, the MCAs told the governor, the senator and Mr Salat to stop holding suspicious night meetings.

“We supporters of URP are saddened by the recent activities by some Rift Valley leaders who are undermining the DP. We are warning them that their plans would not succeed as the Deputy President is still the most preferred leader in the Kalenjin community,” Mr Chebor said.