Governor to sue over reps

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto has promised the United Republican Party (URP) a bruising court battle in an effort to restore the jobs of nine nominated members of the Bomet County Assembly who have been sacked by the party.

The URP National Executive Committee yesterday announced it had taken a decision to expel the nine representatives whom it accused of failing to adhere to the party’s constitution.

But speaking at the Kericho Green Stadium on Friday during Labour Day celebrations, the Bomet government called for the immediate reinstatement of the expelled members, warning that the war “has just begun” as he accused some URP leaders of portraying dictatorial tendencies.

Mr Ruto challenged URP to expel him from the party, saying he was aware that he was a target of removal by some members of the Deputy President William Ruto-led party.

“I am asking them to come and face me directly. This idea of targeting small people in an effort to hurt me is old-fashioned. If they want to get me, I am asking them to try to attempt to remove me. In the meantime, the party should prepare for battle,” he said.

The governor said the nominated members had been carrying out their constitutional duties of representing the interests of women, youth and the disabled in the county assembly and accused some senior URP leaders of targeting them to settle political scores.

STRANGERS

He termed the NEC strangers, saying he did not recognise them because URP elections had only been held at the county level.

“Who are those people purporting to be chairman and secretary general of URP? Who appointed them and who elected the NEC? Those people are strangers because members did not elect them,” he said.

But speaking separately, Kericho Senator Charles Keter said he stood by the NEC decision and accused the Mr Ruto and Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony of concentrating on activities that did not involve them.

Mr Keter said the party had a right to expel nominated MCAs who were no longer representing the interests of the party and said the party will not be compelled to reinstate them to office.

“Those who don’t toe the line set by the party will have to go. Governors Ruto and Chepkwony have their own agenda which is going against the agenda of the URP,” he said.

The senator dismissed allegations that the party’s NEC was improperly constituted and challenged Mr Ruto to prove otherwise.

“The NEC members were elected and were ratified by the National Delegates Conference to hold office for the next five years. Anything else being said to the contrary is false,” he added.

Mr Ruto, who is chairman of the Council of Governors, reiterated that he is not against Deputy President Ruto as has been claimed by the DP and his allies, adding that his only crime was his staunch support for devolution.

Meanwhile, Mr Chepkwony called on DP Ruto to lead mediation talks to heal the rift in the Rift Valley and unite Kalenjin leaders.