The frosty relationship between the Deputy President and Rift Valley leaders seems not to be over after they skipped a church service in Bomet county on Sunday.
Rigathi Gachagua was attending the service after presiding over a groundbreaking ceremony for New Deliverance International Church in Kaplong in Sotik county.
The MPs and senators from the vast region skipped the function, which was only attended by Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ngeno.
Other leaders who attended are Kajiado Senator Seki Lenku and Kangema lawmaker Peter Kihungi.
Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok, his deputy Shadrack Rotich, county assemnly speaker Cosmas Korir were also in attendance.
The area MP Francis Sigei was conspicuously missing.
Only Bomet Women Representative Linet Chepkorir sent apologies.
Barchok hit out leaders for not attending the meeting, saying the move is backward.
“I am wondering if they were instructed not to attend the more or want what made them not to attend this function,” Barchok said.
He warned the Kalenjin community not to ‘sideline’ the DP, saying that they still want his support in the 2027 general election.
“Even if you don’t like the Deputy President in person, we need to respect his office,” the governor said.
He added that the community will still need support from other communities to ascend to power, not only in 2027 or 2032 polls, but in other successive elections.
In May, a section of Rift Valley leaders attacked Gachagua over his remarks on succession politics.
Their sentiments come at a time when the DP has accused a section of the leaders, especially President William Ruto's allies of scheming to determine who becomes the next Mt Kenya kingpin.
He said their actions are an exercise in futility, adding that Mt Kenya politics is more complex.
Mogotio MP Rueben Kiborek, while attending a function in Bomet county, told Gachagua that they are free to move around the country to preach unity.
He refuted claims that they are undermining Mt Kenya leaders and asked for respect for youthful leaders as well.
“We will visit the entire country to sell the government policies,” Kiborek said.
Myoot Kipsigis Council of Elders slammed a section of Rift Valley leaders for humiliating the DP politically, claiming that disrespecting the second in command is disrespecting the presidency.
The elders said that Gachagua stood with the Kalenjin community by assisting Ruto to gain more votes in the Mt Kenya region in the run up to the last general election.
Led by chairman, Richard Ngeno, they stressed on the unity that the rift valley people have with Mt. Kenya people and the relationship should last for long.