Ruto allies in Eldoret threaten to quit URP

Thursday, June 21, 2012 - 00:00 -- BY MATHEWS NDANYI AND JANET YEGO
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Vesca Kangongo who is one of those aspiring for the position of governor on a URP ticket in Uasin Gishu County. She denied knowledge of wrangling in the party's office in Eldoret. Photo/ Matthew Ndanyi

A section of Eldoret North MP Willliam Ruto's supporters in Eldoret have threatened to quit the United Republican Party due to wrangles in its Uasin Gishu county branch. Eldoret mayor William Rono and more than 300 members of the party said they are unhappy that a group of aspirants has taken over control of the URP office without consulting members and other aspirants. "They are ruining the party and we will leave it for them because we are unhappy with the way they are running things," said Rono.

''The attempt by the aspirants to hijack the running of party affairs will eventually interfere with the nominations for aspirants who will vie in the next elections,'' said Rono, who is interested in the Turbo parliamentary seat in the next general election. "It's like they are already planning to rig the nominations and they should know that the people will not accept that," he said.

Her has blamed Eldoret North CDF Chairman Isaac Maiyo who is also vying for the Turbo seat, Caleb Kostanyi who will be vying for the Soy Seat and an aspirant for the position of Governor in Uasin Gishu County Vesca Kangongo for creating confusion in the branch. Maiyo, Kostanyi and Kangongo are also closely associated with Ruto. Maiyo downplayed the matter saying they held a meeting to discus the list of interim officials who will run the party in the county until elections are held.

"Rono and the other aspirants did not attend the meeting but sent apologies through Kostanyi. In any case we decided that we will have a second meeting on Saturday where all aspirants will attend to discus the list and make amendents if they wish", said Maiyo who denied that the list of interim officials was doctored.

The list of interim officials includes Captain (Rtd) Sylivestor Biwott as Chairman, Ida Komen as Secretary,Julius Naibei as Treasurer, Ann Lagat and Sammy Ruto among other members. "None of the top interim officials comes from Turbo where I have interests and those threatening to quit from URP are not genuine members of the party," said Maiyo.

Kangogo dismissed the allegations by Rono and said she was not aware of the issue. "I am in Nairobi and I have not been in Eldoret for such issues," said Kangogo. There has been intense wrangling within URP aspirants closely associated with Ruto as some of them seek his endorsement to vie for various seats. Ruto has declined to favour any of them.