Felix Kipkemoi

Local politics marred Deputy President William Ruto’s function in Bomet yesterday as supporters of various leaders and aspirants engaged in shouting matches.

The mood had been tense throughout the week ahead of the event, as rival camps taunted each other over who had the ear of the DP. 

From early yesterday morning, it was clear a showdown was looming as supporters thronged the venue and strategically positioned themselves before the meeting started.

Battle was pitting supporters of aspirants eyeing gubernatorial positions and those for the parliamentary seats.

Some of the elected MPs encountered harsh reception while trying to address the crowd as a section of supporters kept jeering them. 

Efforts by legislators from outside the county to try and calm the crowd fell on deaf ears.

Most intense exchange was among supporters of Governor Hillary Barchok and former Governor Isaac Ruto, who engaged in shouting contests forcing Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago to intervene before things got out of hand.

Even with the DP speaking,  the supporters of ex-Bomet county boss kept demanding that he be given a chance to speak even though it was clear from the onset Ruto would not play a prominent role in the function that was organised by Barchok.

Isaac Ruto, the Chama Cha Mashinani leader, is vying  the gubernatorial seat alongside Barchok and Petroleum Chief Administrative Secretary John Mosonik.

It was not until the DP took to the podium and took charge of the programme that normalcy started to return.

Short speech

In his short speech, the Chama Cha Mashinani party leader said he had only come to welcome visitors. 

He also said he was unwaveringly throwing his weight behind Deputy President’s presidential bid and urged the electorate to also support his fresh bid for governor.

Ruto has resisted attempts by the DP’s supporters to force him to fold CCM, saying he will vie on the party whilst throwing his full support behind the Deputy President’s candidature.  

Deputy President, who was in the county as part of his tour of the Rift had earlier in the morning, during a breakfast meeting at the governor’s office, prevailed upon the leaders and aspirants to shelve their political differences, saying he is going to plan another local function for them.

“I want you people to relax. I know you have your political differences but put it aside today because we are going to have another meeting in which we will plan our affairs internally. Let us leave this event to leaders from outside the county to speak to us,” he told them.

In his address, Barchok called for tolerance among supporters of various candidates. 

Deputy President steered clear any mention of CCM. He instead noted that his United Democratic Alliance was a national party that seeks to bring all Kenyans together. 

Consequently, he urged residents to fully support the party and avoid being divided by leaders pushing for tribal parties.