- Salat said that it was wrong for the leaders to start early campaigns that were being done at the expense of development matters.
- The former Bomet MP noted that the majority of Kenyans were dogged with poverty and financial quagmires.
Image: FILE
Former Kanu Secretary-General Nick Salat has told Rift-Valley leaders to stop engaging in succession politics and rather concentrate on issues that will improve the lives of their people.
Salat said that it was wrong for the leaders to start early campaigns that were being done at the expense of development matters.
Speaking to the Star on the phone, Salat said there is no vacuum in the leadership of the Rift-Valley as President William Ruto is still holding the grip.
“Our people have many challenging issues which need to be addressed. And instead of addressing their issues they only solve their problems by politics,” Salat said.
"These leaders are engaged in political squabbles at the expense of development. This move, if left unchecked, will be retrogressive to the livelihood of the communities residing in the region."
The former Bomet MP noted that the majority of Kenyans were dogged with poverty and financial quagmires and leaders ought to look for solutions that could improve their lifestyles instead of empty rhetoric.
Salat said the kingpin issues currently being debated by the Kalenjin leaders should stop as it is not a Constitutional office.
"Ruto who is now our kingpin came automatically and he did not move around making big noises just like our leaders are doing. They need to emulate the Head of State's style of leadership," Salat added.
He said those interested in the kingpin position should stop subjecting people to campaign mode and it is barely one year since the country engaged in extensive serious campaigns mood.
"As leaders, we need to assist our president to deliver on the pledges he made to Kenyans, not politics which at the end of the day will not assist our people but few individuals," he said.
Salat's sentiments come at a time when South Rift leaders asked Roads and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to stop engaging in succession politics.
Led by Bomet governor Prof Hillary Barchok, his Kericho counterpart Erick Mutai, and vocal Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ngeno, they said the CS should stick to his mandate that he was given by President William Ruto.
They made the remarks during the launch of road machinery in Bomet Green Stadium on Wednesday.
The leaders said that they are fully supporting the President and Kenya Kwanza government's agenda to change and improve the living standards of Kenyans.
They added that they will not allow few people in the government to derail Ruto's development agendas.
One month ago, Murkomen toured Bomet county and inspected roads in Chepalungu and Bomet constituencies.
In the company of all the MPs from the county and Senator Hillary Sigei, Murkomen later met leaders including MCAs, former MCAs, former councilors, and opinion leaders.
The political pundits say the move by Murkomen was to try and solidify his political base in a way to succeed Ruto as the region de facto leader.