DP soured our relationship when he broke promises, says Governor Ruto

I do not regret defying Deputy President William Ruto in the Rift Valley, Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto has said.

In an exclusive interview with Daily Nation, the former Council of Governors’ chairman blamed the DP for what he termed failure to resolve serious issues.

He said when he agreed to help the DP in his political career in 2005, they were to work together to address the plight of the poor, which they have been doing until the last three years when the DP disappointed him.

One of the things that did not sit well with the governor was that the DP failed to support the release of more funds to the grassroots to a tune of 40 per cent as they agreed in the Jubilee Manifesto.

“I agreed to help him in his political career when he requested me way back in 2005 and I told him that is as long as he is willing to address the plight of the poor which has always been my aim. The DP has always understood me as a man of my stand,” he said.

The latest misdeed, he said, is the government’s move to devolve road functions without releasing funds for this.

He said his constant criticism of how Jubilee handled devolution was the major fallout.

“As I have made it clear before, there are no personal differences between me and DP Ruto, only on policies. My quest to defend devolution and its anchoring in the Kenyan setup is one thing I’m dearly devoted to and passionate about,” said Governor Ruto.

CITED HIGH-HANDEDNESS

He also cited what he termed dictatorship and high-handedness within the DP-led United Republican Party.

“We never duly elected national officials into the office. Some were placed to act on a interim basis but they spent three years in office harassing Kericho and Bomet counties most of the time,” said the governor.

“And when we demanded for neutrality, they thought it’s a supremacy war. They even wanted to sack 10 of my MCAs if it were not for interventions from other quarters,” he added.

The decision to form Mashinani Development Party was to detangle himself from certain “party owners” who have been threatening him with impeachment each time he spoke his mind.

“The counties had been turned into fighting grounds with some MCAs serving other interests than development,” he said.

The governor further dismissed claims his move to defy the ruling coalition could be political suicide. He said his party guaranteed him a second term in office.

The two leaders shared a podium for the first time after eight months of a public spat, in Embomos ward in Bomet during a burial.

But the governor said there were no discussions with the DP on anything regarding his moving into the Jubilee Party.

“What we discussed with Mr Ruto and MPs present at Embomos was in regard to how we can work together to promote development in the county,” he said.

Asked whether his newfound party would consider working with Jubilee ahead of the 2017 elections, he said only if they found a common ground.
“It’s something that can be discussed,” he said.