Deputy President Dr William Ruto’s road to State House is becoming more bumpy and slippery as time goes by. Will it be easy for the DP? A section of politicians from his own backyard, seemingly belonging to team Kieleweke are now teaming up in a fresh plot to block the DP from clinching the top most political seat.
Former Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto on Wednesday met a section of Rift Valley politicians opposed to Dr Ruto.
The meeting is seen as a scheme by the group to strengthen Chama cha Mashinani party ahead of 2022.
Rutto and the group met at Gracia Gardens hotel in Nairobi where they are said to have discussed a range of issues facing the country and the “interest of the Kalenjin community”.
According to an official who attended the meeting, the group planned activities to revamp the party in preparation for a serious scramble for support in the vote-rich Rift Valley.
Those present included Cherangany MP Joshua Kutuny, Joshua Kandie (Baringo Central), Gideon Koskei (Chepalungu), Silas Tiren (Moiben), former MP Zakayo Cheruiyot and former Uasin Gishu gubernatorial aspirant Zedekiah Kiprop aka Buzeki.
It, however, remains unclear if the group is warming up to the CCM party having clearly defied the DP who still has huge influence in Kalenjin politics.
Yesterday, Kuttuny said the team dwelt on “issues affecting the community and the looming referendum”.
“The leaders who came together yesterday are like-minded. We have common issues we are championing for the sake of the community. There is a huge disconnect between wananchi and those they elected to high positions of power thinking they would come and champion their interests,” he was quoted by a local daily.
He said they have planned a series of meetings in the days to come to explore how to market their agenda, adding their team is not allied to the anti-Ruto outfit Kieleweke.
“We are discussing the issues of tea, maize and milk farmers and the issue of the looming referendum,” he said.