News Analysis BY Leo Odera Omolo In Kericho Town
The time is ripe for President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto to display their political magnanimity and dynamism and listen to the cries of the their supporters in the South Rift region., and if possible correct the erratic appointment of the parastatal chiefs.
The South Rift regions covering Kerixho and Bomet Countries appear to have a genuine case to complaints, about, which should be addresses in order to restore the confidence of the electorate who had supported the jubilee coalition almost on a man-to-man during the March 4, 2013 elections.
The Kipsigisland region is a votes rich area boosting close to 1.5 _ _ _ votes, and the most populous sub-tribe of the larger Kalenjin ethnic groups and as such it is an area which should not be ignored in its appointments for paraststal chiefs and those serving the quasi-government organizations.
A cross check and interviews conducted by this writer with politicians In this town has revealed deeply rooted sense of disappointments and complaints against the Jubilee government which is blamed for having short-changed the community..
The recent sentiments which were expressed by the Kurusu South MP Zakayo K Cheruiyot has received an overwhelming support by the leaders and ordinary members of the public. The MP who is known to be a man of few words is therefore considered as having spoken what is truly reflected the feeling of the silent majority.
A prominent Kipsigis politician William Kipkemoi [Chemosit] Arap Kettienya said the community is in full support of the views expressed by the Bomet governor Isaack Ruto, the Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter and other about the day to day management of the Jubilee government is wanting.
Kettienya blamed the Deputy President for hosting a delegation of the purported Kipsigis leaders at his Sugoit home in Uasibn Gishu. The delegation, he said comprised of self-seekers and bunch of opportunists who went there for the purpose of spreading ill-conceived gossips against the elected URP leaders in the region.
KETTIENYA TOLD dp Ruto to deal only with the two governors in the region, namely Isaac Ruto {Bomet} and Prof. Paul Chepkwony {Kericho}, because these are the de facto leaders mandated by the Kipsigisi to speak on their behalf and nobody else, Kettienya accused the Kipsigis cousins from the north of giving the community raw dealings, and trying to undermining the community leaders.
Kettienya is the KANU branch secretary in Kericho County When this writer visited Kericho town people could be seem in small groups discussing politics and all blaming DP Ruto for the woes affecting the Kipsigis community.
The common saying is that Ruto is not advising his boss Uhuru Kenyatta property, and has been making some provocative public pronouncements.
The original MNou signed between the URP/TNA was 50-50 power sharing between the two principal partners in the Jubilee coalition, but the TNA side appeared to have taken the lions share. Ruto’s recent tour of the region for the purpose of pacifying the region did not materialize, and instead some of his utterances have fueled more discontent more than ever before. The resident now call upon President Kenyatta to make an urgent visit for dialogue with the regional leaders in Kericho and Bomet Counters’.
Other leaders scathingly criticized Kericho Senator Charles Keter whom they blamed for being single handedly responsible for the current fall out
One Ward Representative in KERICHO County warned Senator Keter to stop dancing to the tune of Anti-Kipsigis elements from the North Rift. There is no way the Jubilee government should shortchange the majority people who voted for it, said the Rep who requested for his anonymity for gear of possible reprisals.
Another local politician blamed Senator Keter for undermining the two governors who are currently managing the two Kipsigis Counties, and adding this message, “Please leave our two governors alone to discharged their constitutional duties to the electorate,”
A group of youths in Kericho Town were heard shouting loudly in the streets that Alfred Keter, Zakayo Cheruiyot and governor Isaac Ruto were the community heroes who speaks the truth when their community is being marginalized and sidelined in government appointments.
Ends