Isaac Ruto faulted over face-off with DP

What you need to know:

  • Keter warns Bomet governor that his days in politics are over.
  • County boss accused of chest-thumping and competing with the Deputy President.

Kericho Senator Charles Keter and other leaders on Sunday warned Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto that his days in politics were numbered.

Mr Keter and four MPs and county assembly reps condemned Mr Ruto, whom they accused of disrespecting the Deputy President.

The politicians were speaking at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Ainamoi constituency, Kericho County.

“In the South Rift, we are fully behind Deputy President William Ruto. The writing is on the wall for those leaders who attempt to undermine him and choose a different direction. What happened in Bomet was nonsense,” said Mr Keter.

Kipkelion West MP Jackson Rop warned that the Bomet governor would be kicked out in the 2017 General Election.

Governor Ruto on Saturday threatened to forcibly end a meeting attended by the DP after he was heckled by part of the crowd.

The governor’s threat angered the Deputy President, who told him off.

'ARROGANT' GOVERNOR

The governor had accused Bomet MPs of hiding behind the DP’s shadow to hurl insults at him.

Mr Rop urged Kenyans to pray for the DP to overcome the case facing him at the ICC.

Ainamoi MP Benjamin Langat accused Governor Ruto of purporting to be the spokesman of the Kipsigis.

He said that the governor was arrogant and accused him of chest-thumping, adding that his efforts to compete with the Deputy President would hurt him as the DP was a political powerhouse with a national presence.

Kipkelion East MP Joseph Limo expressed concern that Governor Ruto had incessantly attacked the DP at public functions.

Sabatia MP Alfred Agoi, however, said the two leaders should never have made their political rivalry public.

According to Mr Agoi, the DP and Mr Ruto should respect each other even if they had differences politically.

Meanwhile, the DP was at AIC Torongo in Baringo yesterday for a fundraiser but chose not to speak about the showdown with Mr Ruto.

Additional reporting by Copperfield Lagat.