Deputy President William Ruto and Baringo Senator Gideon Moi camps collided over the latest power struggle.
Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos and Baringo South MP Charles Kamuren were at loggerheads over which bigwig was in control in the Rift valley region.
Kamuren who is allied to Ruto, remarked that the installation of Gideon Moi during the burial of the late former President Daniel Moi was no cause for alarm.
The lawmaker noted that the handing over of Mzee Moi’s rungu to his second-born son had nothing to do with politics.
He reiterated that the installation of a Kalenjin leader is done by the elders in a very different setting than the one witnessed.
“Tuliona rungu ilipeanwa na haina neno. Wazee wa Kalenjin nyinyi munajua hayo maneno. Itafika wakati wazee wataongea na watatueleza utaratibu ambao tunaenda. Tusieke siasa mingi(We saw the baton being handed over and it is not a big deal. Kalenjin elders are aware of that situation. It will come a time where they will talk and advise on the path to take),” stated the MP.
The tough-talking legislator further noted that they will not lie down and watch their leader persecuted.
Kamuren in reference to the BBI, insisted they will not accept the final report if it will be an avenue used to fight Ruto’s 2022 bid.
“Ikiwa ni BBI ya raia ya kubadilisha nchi hii ya kuwa na amani, tuonge na tuachie raia waongee. Lakini kama ni mambo ya siasa ya 2022 tusijidanganye hapa(If the BBI is for the people and to change the country by giving it peace, then let the people decide. But if it is about the politics of 2022 then we should not be cheated),” warned the Baringo South MP.
Tolgos, a Gideon Moi die-hard, however, explained that it was time for the KANU party leader to prove himself in the area after being given the mantle of power.
The vocal governor reiterated that the politician had his work cut out and needed to convince the people of Rift Valley he is worthy of the position.
“Leadership mantle has now been handed over to him. He also has the other national leadership as the chairman of KANU.
“With that alone means, Gideon Moi is a national leader. So for other things let us give them time. Let them (Ruto and Gideon) go to the ground and convince us,” articulated the Elgeyo Marakwet county boss.
Ruto and Gideon have been pitted against each other over the control of the Kalenjin region.
The two have bad blood among them to the extent the DP was denied access to see Moi before his death.
With the BBI campaign yet to head to the Rift Valley area, tension remains high over who calls the shot in the Jubilee party stronghold.