Bomet’s first governor, Isaac Rutto, has accused the county’s senator, Hillary Sigei, of interfering in the county’s political landscape by allegedly sponsoring candidates to contest the 2027 gubernatorial election instead of allowing the electorate to make their own choice.

Speaking during an interview with a local station on Friday, June 26, 2026, Rutto claimed that the senator’s actions are creating unnecessary political tension in the county, citing the recently concluded United Democratic Alliance (UDA) grassroots elections as an example of interference.

Rutto stated that Sigei had used his influence within the ruling party’s leadership to manipulate local politics, arguing that such actions are undermining democratic competition.

“How can one person determine where votes will go and who should contest for various seats? We wanted to have the UDA elections, but he wanted to decide on Bomet County’s grassroots polls,” Rutto said.

Sponsoring leaders

The former governor further claimed that the senator had been encouraging a section of leaders to enter the gubernatorial race against him instead of allowing them to independently decide whether to seek the county’s top seat.

“I saw him busy sponsoring people to run for the gubernatorial race, and I asked him about his business within the political space. I thought you should let everybody decide, and I told him that if he doesn’t cease, he will better support Governor Barchok to run for the Senate,” Rutto stated.

“Leadership should be decided by the people, not through political sponsorship,” Rutto said.

The 2027 governor hopeful further accused Sigei of threatening Governor Barchok with legal action over oversight issues, saying the Senate’s oversight role should be carried out through the relevant institutions rather than through personal threats.

“The oversight committee should be allowed to discharge its constitutional mandate professionally. The governor should also be given the space to serve the people without unnecessary political pressure,” Ruto said.

Senator Sigei’s oversight

The Bomet County Executive has been facing tough questions from the Senate County Public Investment Committee over serious financial and service delivery issues highlighted in the Auditor-General’s 2024/2025 report.

The meeting focused on several key county institutions where audit queries pointed to weak systems and gaps in accountability.

“Oversight is not about noise. It is about ensuring that every shilling sent to Bomet works for the people of Bomet. Health facilities must have staff and equipment. Urban funds must build functioning towns. Water and sanitation services must reach households. That is the standard,” Sigei said in a past post on his X account.

“The Senate will continue to push for answers, documentation and corrective action. Accountability is not optional. And development cannot grow where financial discipline is missing. Bomet deserves better systems, better service delivery, and leadership that treats public funds with the seriousness it deserves,” Sigei stated.