Deputy President William Ruto on Tuesday sensationally claimed that police reservists were withdrawn from Kerio Valley to punish him.
Speaking during the presidential debate, the UDA presidential candidate said the security situation in the counties of Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Pokot and Samburu pre-handshake era was under control.
The DP, however, said police reservists responsible for the security in the bandit-prone counties was withdrawn on grounds that he would use them as militia.
"A very reckless act. With the withdrawal of the national police reserve, the situation went south," Ruto said.
"It was really an unfortunate act, but because it was meant to punish William Ruto, is a real tragedy," he added.
The DP claimed that 150 people have died in the Kerio Valley region since beginning of the year.
He said he has used his own resources to help bury the victims and appease their families.
Ruto claimed he believes the police reservists were withdrawn because he was the one who was in charge of deploying them in the region.
"In fact I was there every two weeks. I'm the one who mobilised the resources, so it looked like it was about me (but) it was not about me," Ruto said.
