Political leaders from Kericho and Bomet counties on Saturday met at the former Bomet governor Isaac Ruto’s home at Tumoi, Bomet, for what was billed as reconciliatory meeting after the just concluded elections.

The meeting brought together leaders who have just been elected in the polls and those who were not successful in securing elective posts.

Governors-elect Hillary Barchok (Bomet) and Erick Mutai of Kericho led others in the meeting where speakers championed reconciliation and unity after a bruising campaign period.

They vowed to put to rest politics of hatred and division, saying elections were over and it was high time they put aside their political differences and forge ahead on development matters. 

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Barchok said they resolved to unite and bury their political differences to pave the way to plan for development in a bid to transform the residents’ lives. “We have all agreed that elections are over and it is time to hit the ground running planning development matters. We’re teaming up irrespective of the positions we have to serve our people,” Dr Barchok said. 

Transform lives

Dr Mutai said poverty is still a major concern in the region and called on the leadership to use the available resources to address not only the poverty but other issues affecting the people. “Our people still face many problems and we as leaders we’re doing everything possible to offer lasting solutions to these problems. Once we are in office, we will sit with all stakeholders, development partners and other leaders to plan how to transform lives of our people,” Mutai said. 

Barchok revealed that the meeting was to wish the former Bomet governor—Ruto quick recovery after falling ill on the elections’ day.

Ruto of Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM) party  was airlifted to Nairobi Hospital soon after voting on the August 9, 2022 after contracting acute pneumonia. According to a source who was in his campaign team and did not want to be named, Ruto was admitted at the hospital for five days. 

The former governor on his part conceded defeat to governor-elect  Barchok and congratulated those who were elected during the polls and said elections were over. He urged leaders to strive to uplift the livelihoods of the county residents.