Shock as Aden Duale and Isaac Ruto clash in public over referendum

A heated political confrontation marred the Mara Day celebrations in Narok County as two national leaders clashed bitterly in the presence of Deputy President William Ruto and a Tanzanian delegation.

The confrontation between National Assembly Majority Leader Adan Duale and Council of Governors chairman Isaac Ruto over the Pesa Mashinani plebiscite elicited shouts and heckling from the public.

The clash erupted after Mr Duale told the governor that he had failed to account for Sh184 million meant for development of Bomet County.

The MP accused Mr Ruto, alongside his Kiambu and Kisumu counterparts William Kabogo and Jack Ranguma respectively of snubbing summons by the Senate to answer accountability questions.

Mr Duale, who was angered by Mr Ruto’s speech earlier, said: “These funds belong to Kenyans and not to your mother,” prompting Mr Ruto to rise from the dais and walk towards the podium.

“You can run around the country, you can call for referendum but one day you will appear before the Senate. Isaac Ruto, you must appear before the Senate,” said a charged Duale.

INTERVENTION

It took the intervention of Narok County Governor Samuel Tunai, Senator Stephen ole Ntutu, County Commissioner Farah Kassim Farah, MCA Kuya ole Kijabe and the Deputy President’s security officers to persuade Mr Ruto to go back to his seat.

Amid jeers from the audience, Mr Duale continued to water down the governors’ campaign for more funds in counties through a referendum.

“The governors are not telling us anything new. When Kenyans promulgated the Constitution, they were asking for more allocations to the counties and the governors should stop threatening us,” he said.

BROUGHT TO A STANDSTILL

The drama that brought activity at the Maasai Mara University grounds to a standstill took the DP and the Tanzanian delegation by surprise as the politicians tore into each other.

The Bomet governor, who spoke before Mr Duale, insisted they would not back down on their push and accused the MP of failing to represent the people who elected them.

“Some of you MPs have been coming around and telling us that you represent the government. There are a lot of challenges facing the wananchi and you come telling us to wait till 2017.”

He said Kenyans asked for the new constitution because they wanted national resources to be distributed equitably.

“We never asked for a new constitution so as to put in a new class of leaders who never care about the needs of the people. That is what we are going to tell you plainly. If you fail to do that, Kenyans will do it themselves,” said Mr Ruto.

He accused the DP of lying to Kenyans that they had devolved roads, yet the matter was still at the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

CAUTIONED LEADERS

Mr Ruto, who sought a press briefing after the function said the amount Mr Duale was talking about was what the National Government was yet to disburse to Bomet County in lieu of rates.

However, when the DP took to the podium, he cautioned leaders to be mindful of what they say and do because they lead millions of Kenyans.

He called on them to be part of the solution and not the problem by inciting Kenyans against one other.

He said the government did not need a lecture from anybody for more funds to be sent to devolved units.

“Some governors have teamed up with the Opposition to distract us from delivering on our pledges. This is an exercise with a political agenda and not meant to improve the lives of Kenyans,” said the DP.