Bomet politics nearly spoil DP Ruto's visit

Deputy President William Ruto was trapped in the Bomet gubernatorial politics when Chama Cha Mashinani and UDA supporters engaged in a shouting match.

The ugly Monday confrontation between the supporters forced him to take charge of the programme.

There was a clear indication that a showdown between the elected leaders and aspirants could erupt during the rally.

This forced the DP to engage them during a breakfast meeting at the governor’s office in the morning but did not succeed. 

“You should relax. Put political differences aside because we will have another meeting in Kericho. Let leaders from outside the county speak. We will plan another meeting for our internal affairs,” Ruto said.

Before the event, security aides tried to block former Bomet county boss Isaac Rutto from accessing the office of the governor, where the DP had a brief meeting with the governor and a few leaders.

At the stadium, cheering and heckling contests continued before Ruto intervened.

His speech was not interrupted as the youth kept chanting hustler, while displaying UDA slogans for their candidates.

Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok will face off with CAS John Mosonik in the April nominations for the UDA ticket. 

Barchok thanked the DP for visiting the county.

Ruto urged the electorate to back his presidential bid. 

He termed ODM leader Raila Odinga’s candidature as a project out to protect the selfish interest of a few wealthy individuals.

The DP said the endorsement by the Mt Kenya Foundation indicated they are keen on protecting their wealth and not the welfare of the majority Kenyans. 

“You cannot sit on the pretext of conducting interviews for a person to run for the presidential seat but you go directly to the people and sell your policies,” he said.

Ruto said the only agenda for those opposing his bid was focused on finding ways of changing the Constitution and creating more positions at the expense of the economy.

He said his focus would be to improve the economy and ensure the more than 14 million youth secure jobs.

Edited by Kiilu Damaris