Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu clashed with county Senator Ledama Ole Kina over clashes pitting two clans in Kilgoris.
The two exchanged barbs in front of President William Ruto during the interdenominational thanksgiving service for Tourism PS John Ololtua in Keiyan.
Ole Kina was the first one to throw a jibe at the county government, alleging the leaders are not doing enough to foster peace between the warring Irwa Shinkishu and Isiria clans.
The ODM senator also alleged that some former and current leaders are behind the skirmishes through incitement and invoking the name of President Ruto.
“People should stop using the President’s name wrongly that he wants that land, that is false because the president means well for the country,’’ Ole Kina said.
Ole Kina asked the local leaders to stop inciting locals over the land, alleging that some senior officials were behind the instigation.
“We know that there are leaders here, both former and current who are inciting our people. They have just stopped for days because they knew the president was coming here,’’ Ole Kina said.
“Governments will come and go but land and the communities will remain.’’
Reacting to Ole Kina’s remarks, Ole Ntutu denied that the county is not doing enough to end the clashes saying that a report midwifed by elders was ready.
“It is not true that nothing is happening. Both the national and the county governments have done a lot. A report about the said 30 acres is ready and we shall soon have a meeting to solve the issue,’’ Ole Ntutu said.
The governor fired a salvo at Ole Kina, who had initially called on the president to ruthlessly fight corruption among governors, saying the senator lacked information.
“Sometimes come from Nairobi and find out what is happening on the ground before speaking to issues you do not know. Unfortunately, this is the first time I am hearing you talk about that land,’’ Ole Ntutu said.
When President Ruto spoke, he directed politicians, elders and church leaders to sit down and find a lasting solution to the inter-clan clashes in Kilgoris.
He said that the local leadership together with elders are better placed to iron out the small issues that are causing clashes between the two communities.
“I ask elders, leaders from here, county government and church leaders to sit down so that we can deal with the problem so that we focus on development without any fights,’’ Ruto said.
The president also promised that once all administrative issues are done, a new sub-county for Keiyan will be created to boost security.
