Rift Valley leader apologizes to Uhuru after ‘ranting remarks’

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Elgeyo Marakwet governor Alex Tolgos has apologized to President Uhuru Kenyatta following utterances made by a section of political leaders from the county over the controversial Arror and Kimwarer dams project.

In a press release sent to newsrooms on Monday, Tolgos said the ranting remarks by the leaders were their personal views and did not represent those of Elgeyo Marakwet county residents. 

“On behalf of the people of Elgeyo Marakwet County, we want to sincerely apologise to the Head of State over political utterances made by Four MPs and a handful of MCAs at an Eldoret Hotel on Saturday, March 9th purporting to be speaking on behalf of the people of Elgeyo Marakwet county over the ongoing investigations on Arror and Kimwarer multipurpose dams,” reads part of the press release signed by the governor.

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The leaders who included Members of Parliament Kangogo Bowen (Marakwet East), William Kisang (Marakwet West), Daniel Rono (Keiyo South) Woman Representative Jane Kiptoo, County Assembly Speaker Kiplagat Sabulei and several Members of County Assembly (MCAs) had accused the president of seeking to use graft allegations on the two dams as a tool to fight Deputy President William Ruto’s 2022 presidential bid. 

Tolgos who is serving his last term in office, however, noted that it was unnecessary for the MPs to mix 2022 politics with projects undertaken by the national government in the county.

He said the MPs should have utilized the opportunity in parliament and address the matter within the floor of the House instead of making unhelpful political statements.

The governor further dismissed claims by the leaders that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) was being used to target Deputy President William Ruto and the Kalenjin community. 

“Kenya is a country of rule of law and therefore, it is unimaginable that our legislators would subscribe to a narrative discrediting independent institutions like the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Office of Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) and Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) among others,” noted Tolgos in the statement. 

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