We did not visit Ruto for handouts, say Gusii leaders

What you need to know:

  • Kitutu Chache South MP Richard Onyonka defended the trip, saying they did not go to receive handouts.
  • He said the public should ignore individuals spreading rumours that they had gone to Eldoret to receive bribes.
  • “Ours was largely a fact-finding mission to ascertain what happened to the projects former President Mwai Kibaki pledged to undertake in Gusii, nothing else.

Gusii leaders say they called for a revival of all stalled development projects when they met Deputy President William Ruto at his home in Sugoi, Eldoret, last week.

They said this is among the demands they made during the visit on Thursday.

On Monday, Kitutu Chache South MP Richard Onyonka defended the trip, saying they did not go to receive handouts.

He said the public should ignore individuals spreading rumours that they had gone to Eldoret to receive bribes.

'FACT-FINDING MISSION'

“Ours was largely a fact-finding mission to ascertain what happened to the projects former President Mwai Kibaki pledged to undertake in Gusii, nothing else.

If completed, these projects will help the community in a big way,” the MP told the Nation on the phone.

According to the MP, the Nyamache-Etago-Kenyenya, Kegogi-Marani-Nyakoe –Iranda Getare, and Tombe–Rigoma-Ikenye roads are some of the infrastructural projects that had stalled.

Mr Onyonka said the upgrading of the Suneka Airstrip is also among the pending projects they urged Mr Ruto to follow up.

He said Sh2 billion had initially been provided for the upgrade, and urged the Government to make follow-ups to ensure the work is completed.

COMPENSATION

The lawmaker further said they asked the Government to compensate the more than 10,000 people from Kisii displaced by the 2007 post-election violence.

“We have seen members from other communities who were displaced being compensated, but this has not happened for the 10,000 Kisiis who were also affected,” said Mr Onyonka.

He said the DP sounded reconciliatory, adding that he will be more engaging in addressing “the factors that fractured the harmony that had initially existed between the Abagusii and communities living in the Rift Valley”.

Some ODM leaders have called for the expulsion of party members who were in the delegation.

Kisii County Deputy Governor Joash Maangi has been a subject of discussion, with the county ODM chairman, Mr Chris Obure, calling for his ejection from the party.
Mr Maangi has, however, dared the party to expel him for leading the delegation to Eldoret.