President William Ruto’s aide, Farouk Kibet, has clashed again with Turbo MP Janet Sitienei over development project implementation in the President’s home constituency.

Farouk, a close ally of the President who is reportedly plotting to unseat Sitienei in 2027, has been traversing the constituency, launching development projects and in the process undermining the MP who feels sidelined.

Their conflict escalated over the weekend when Farouk assembled leaders, including National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa, in a fundraising for women’s groups in Turbo constituency.

Though Sitienei donated Ksh100,000 personally, she skipped the event in Kamagut, near Ruto’s Sugoi home.

A visibly irritated Farouk called Sitienei’s absence disrespectful to Turbo residents.

“You have the guts to skip an event being held in your constituency where the President comes from? We will not accept that,” he said.  

“Don’t hate your people this much. Where will you ferry other people to vote for you? You are not assisting the President at home, and you are not assisting him away either. Where do you stand?”

He added: “We’ll soon come and say more on the way forward. People elected you to serve them. You hate these people, but you will pay one day.  

“Turbo people deserve to be respected. Mkose kufika ama ufike, Turbo itaenda mbele (Whether you turn up or not, Turbo will progress).”

Farouk argued that all Rift Valley leaders elected on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket should help the President in fulfilling the Kenya Kwanza development agenda.

An unshaken Sitienei hit back, accusing Farouk of undermining elected leaders.

“Everyone of us has a responsibility, but there should be respect across the board. People should not mistake my humility for weakness,” she said.  

“Kila mtu afanye kazi yake. Tukitaka kusaidia rais, kila mtu achukue nafasi yake (If we want to assist the President, all leaders should play their respective roles),” She continued: “We want to live in an environment where all of us can work to achieve the best for Turbo constituency. That’s why I always give room for everybody to do their part, but also let’s do our part while respecting other leaders. We are all here courtesy of the people.”

The MP, elected overwhelmingly by over 50,000 voters, maintained she would not be intimidated.

In February 2025, she told Farouk: “Stay in your lane! Don’t take my humility for weakness!” after he claimed ownership of education projects completed through her office.

Farouk recently sparked controversy by making disparaging remarks about the Kipsigis community, mocking them as only being “good at giving birth”.

This prompted Kipsigis artists to compose a viral response song defending music as their livelihood source.