Nyakundi Report notes that on 20 November 2018, Rift Valley politics was roiled by a public split over Deputy President William Ruto’s 2022 presidential ambitions and the maize and subsidised fertiliser crisis.
The row began after Alfred Keter of Nandi Hills, Joshua Kuttuny of Cherengany and Silas Tiren of Moiben called for Ruto to be investigated over the scandal. Their demand triggered a sharp backlash from other Kalenjin lawmakers, who accused the trio of working to weaken Ruto’s path to State House in 2022.
Caleb Kositany of Soy, Robert Pukose of Endebess, Aaron Cheruiyot of Kericho and other MPs said the three legislators were being used to frustrate the Deputy President’s political project. Kositany described them as “cheap hired mercenaries” and alleged that Alfred Keter was facing multiple forgery and theft cases involving hundreds of millions of shillings.
He also accused the trio of failing to offer any practical solution for farmers despite being members of Parliament. According to the pro-Ruto camp, the lawmakers were moving from place to place to create the impression that Ruto was facing trouble at home, even though, they said, that was not the case.
Keter and Kuttuny rejected the claims and insisted they were raising issues that mattered to farmers. They said they were not acting for Ruto’s political opponents and maintained that the Deputy President himself should answer the allegations surrounding the maize scandal.
Kuttuny said, “The DP himself needs to come out and pronounce himself on this grave matter affecting our farmers. MPs who called us names and yet they survive on hand-outs can’t tell poor farmers anything.” He added, “It’s shame that the leaders who were elected to Parliament by farmers have now turned their backs on them. We have no time for people who only speak to massage the ego of their master.”
Keter said the accusations against them were unfounded and challenged their critics to prove wrongdoing if they believed the claims were true. “It’s shocking. Our colleagues are attacking us, instead of coming up with a response. If we’re wrong, they should prove it,” he said.
The dispute exposed growing tension inside the Rift Valley political bloc as leaders weighed loyalty to Ruto against pressure for accountability over the maize and fertiliser controversy, all against the backdrop of the 2022 succession race.
