Deputy President William Ruto is known to be a man that does not give in easily to attacks launched against him. He is known to face his attackers head on.
Some politicians like Boni Khalwale have referred to him as a brave and courageous leader hence making him standout even in the midst of seemingly strong criticisms from his political critics.
After talks on the maize scandal took center stage in the past month, Ruto has now come out to set the record straight on the issue that now seem to be gaining momentum with each passing day.
According to Ruto, those pushing the maize scandal narrative are enemies of progress and development.
While seemingly attacking the three Kalenjin MPs over their recent remarks with regard to maize prices, the DP told the Kalenjin community to shun them as they were enemies of development and out to pursue self interests.
Without mentioning names, Ruto said: “While we are planning on development and asking Kenyans to diversify on crops there are some trying hard misleading them again.”
MPs Joshua Kutuny, Silas Tiren and Keter have blamed Ruto and his political allies over the current plight of the maize farmers.
The three members of Parliament claim that Ruto has a well calculated plan that has even included discouraging people from the Rift Valley from engaging in Maize farming and instead adopt avocado and macadamia farming.
They claim that all this is aimed at making the DP Kenya’s sole maize supplier, claims the DP has refuted.
According to Keter, Ruto cannot tell people to engage in Avocado and Macadamia farming without telling people what happened to the maize.
“You can’t be telling us to plant avocados, plant macadamia but you are not telling us what happened to maize…Now you have gone even to Congo. You are growing 500,000 acres of maize,” said Keter without producing any evidence.
Despite facing opposition from the Deputy President and his close allies, Keter now says that he will not give up in his quest to salvage his people from poverty regardless of what awaits him.
Keter has said he is ready to die if that was the ultimate cost for standing with the “oppressed poor farmers” in Kenya.
“I know I will be in the right books of history just like many other gallant men and women who have stood firm against corruption and social injustices,” said Keter.
Keter and his friends have faced opposition from a section of Rift Valley leaders with the deputy President also cautioning him against misleading the Kalenjin community.
This comes even after Keter made more shocking revelations with regards to the maize scandal.
According to Keter, proceeds of the maize scandal were used to buy three large RiftValley tea estates whose leases had expired.
Keter said greed for money and power by individuals was to blame for the high level corruption and increased poverty among Kenyans.
“The plantations belong to the people of Nandi and at the expiry of the 99 years they should unconditionally be returned to the county government,” Keter said.
The legislator said he will stand firm and is ready to sacrificed his life for the poor.
Should Keter and his friends be ignored?