A section of Rift Valley MPs on Monday walked out of a public meeting presided over by President Uhuru Kenyatta in Bomet County.
The four lawmakers; Bomet Central MP Ronald Tonui, Bomet East MP Beatrice Kones, Konoin MP Brighton Yegon and Bomet Senator Christopher Langat stormed out after they were reportedly denied a chance to address the public during the official opening of Bomet University.
They protested that they had not been given a chance to address the public during various functions presided over by the President.
I am pleased to commission the modernized New KCC Sotik milk plant in Bomet. The new production line will undoubtedly turn around the fortunes of milk farmers within the region and will also enhance 2 pillars of the #Big4Agenda; #FoodSecurity and #Manufacturing @WilliamsRuto pic.twitter.com/Iy8DXOmQ0e
— Uhuru Kenyatta (@UKenyatta) October 22, 2018
But a popular media company has learnt that the MPs were protesting alleged nepotism in the awarding of the contract for construction of the university. They also claim that most workers at the university are from one community.
The legislators later held a meeting in Bomet town as the President and Deputy President William Ruto proceeded to launch the Lake Region Investment and Blue Economy Conference.
Bomet MPs walk out of Uhuru and Ruto meeting in Bomet town today after not being given a chance to address the meeting. Now holding a parallel meeting in town as Uhuru and Ruto open the LREB conference. pic.twitter.com/KEV9Q6T6rS
— SayAfrica (@sayafrica) October 22, 2018
Local leaders the Rift Valley region have been critical of President Kenyatta since the handshake deal made with ODM leader Raila Odinga.
Majority of the Rift Valley leaders see the handshake as a move to undermine Ruto’s chances of becoming President in 2022.