News Analysis By Leo Odera Omolo In Kericho.
The news about the suspension of the Higher Education Minister William Ruto has hit the entire South Rift region like a thunderbolt sending people into speculations and wide spread rumors about his future political leadership.
In Kericho Town, which is the nerve center for the region, people were seen talking in small groups here and there and discussing the matter in low tones. There is evidence that the action took many by surprise.
Ruto’s supporters in Kapsabet and Nandi Hills looked dejected and disappointed and were reluctant to answer any question put to them by the newsmen.
Many peope have expressed both sympathgy abd solidarityt with the suspended Minister and assured hims of their continued support for his future presidential ambition. But were quick in adding that the law must take its on course.
Most people expressed sympathy with the Minister and wished the court matter he is facing will get sorted out soon.
What is not known to many people is that William Samoei Arap Ruto, is an indignant Kipsigis by tribe. His family only migrated to Nandi and eventually to Uasin Gishu many years ago from their original home which is believed was originally located round Kenegut area in Belgut. Therefore whatever happened to him hurt the Kipsigis most as the community considers him to be one among them.
However, most of those interviewed said they were satisfied with the decision taken by the two principals in the government that of suspending Mr Ruto to step aside until the criminal case he is facing before a court lf law is determined.
One such personality is Councilor Nicholas Tum who is also the ODM regional Organizer in the South Rift said he was disappointed that some Kalenjin MPs owing to their political naivety were trying to drag the party’s name in what is purely a criminal matter.
”There is nothing new in the suspension of a cabinet Minister. We have several of the suspended in the past, but were immediately reinstated in the cabinet as soon as they get cleared.
There is nothing special in the case of Mr.Ruto’s case. His supporters should wait patiently and as soon as the court case is sorted out the Minister would definitely be reinstated. There is no point of making fuss or hullabaloo about it,” said Mr.Tum.
Tum scathingly criticized some of the Kalenjin MPs who on Wednesday this week told the press that the Minister’s suspension was politically motivated. “Mr Ruto poses serious competition to some of those in power and that is why they want to scuttle him. He has massive following not only in the Rift Valley but the entire country, said Lucas Kigen the Rongqi MP..
The MPs who issued the statement were Charles Keter (Belgut} Lucas Kigen {Rongai},Benjamin Lang’at{Ainamoi},Joshua Kutuny {Cherangany} and Jackson Kiptanui {Kerio South}.
A senior Kericho politician who asked for his anonymity told the MPs to watch out as their utterances could jeopardize Mr Ruto’s impending trial in a court, the politician, however, nothing wrong in such suspension.
He told the MPs to hold their guns and wait for the court’s handling of the case. The old days of impunity are long gone with the old constitution, and the law must not be applied selectively. He reminded the suspension of former Finance Minister David Mwireria, Prof.George Saitoti, Amos Kimunya among others who were suspended from their offices pending some inquiries ordered by the President.. But all were late reinstated after being cleared of any wrong doing. Therefore the Kalenjin MPS must stop kidding around about using other people’s names as scapegoats. They must face the reality of the matter..
In Litein Town, an old man said he felt the Minister for Higher Education is a man in hurry and as such he us bound to come into loggerhead with other stakeholders to the same position.
T he Eldoret North MP js not cohesive and is in hurry of becoming the President f this country at all cost irrespective of the consequences and as such could easily brush his shoulders with other contenders for the same position.
Mzee Elijah said he is not comfortable with Ruto scheme of rocking the ODM from within, a party that has elevated him to national fame. He and his fellow Kalenjin MPs have been hitting t the ODM leader Raila Odinga on every opportunity they found a platform, whole Raila Odinga is playing mature politics not hitting back. Can’t they see sense and simply walk out of ODSM and join other parties of their choice or shut up,” said Mzee Elijah.
Ends
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