Writes Leo Odera Omolo

It has been established that the Eldoret North MP William Ruto for some unknown reasons was technically barred from addressing thousands of mourners in his own constituency forcing the outspoken politician to leave the venue prematurely.

The incident took place during the high profile burial of the former Assistant Minister Elijah Sumbeiywo at his home in Sergoit on the Eldoret Iten road.

The funeral which had attracted the huge crowd was also attended by among other mourners, the retired President Daniel Arap Moi, the Vice President Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, and the Industrialization Minister Henry Kosgey who read the Prime Minister Raila Odinga condolence message to the bereaved family.

It has been confirmed from the multiple sources in Eldoret that Ruto who is the presidential candidate on the United Republican Party of Kenya {URP}was in attendance with a large number of Kalenjin politicians and MPs, but looked restless and unsettled during the ceremony, which had attracted many Kalenjin luminaries and leaders from other regions of Kenya.

The URP leader according to the same sources was in pensive mode and left the venue abruptly while the ceremony was still going on.

The report further revealed that the bereaved family of the late Sumbeiywo who was at one time the head of the presidential Security Escort for the retired President Moi had requested the mourners tat here be no political speeches in keeping up with the norms of Kalenjin culture and tradition.Sumbeiywo briefly represented the Keiyo North constituency in parliament after his retirement fro the police force upon reaching the mandatory retirement age. He left the force while serving in the rank of Senior Deputy Commissioner of Police and the venture into parliamentary politics.

Local political pundits were quick in interpreting the incident as meaning rejection of Ruto’s political leadership by a section of the larger Kalenjin community, an issue which could have negative repercussion on his presidential bid.

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