This archive report was first published on 21 July 2019.
Former Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto has been secretly meeting with Rift Valley politicians opposed to Deputy President William Ruto, a move seen as a challenge to the DP's supremacy in the region ahead of the 2022 elections.
According to sources, the meeting took place at Gracia Gardens hotel in Nairobi on Wednesday, where Rutto and the group discussed a range of issues facing the country and the 'interest of the Kalenjin community.'
Those present included Cherangany MP Joshua Kutuny, Joshua Kandie (Baringo Central), Gideon Koskei (Chepalungu), Silas Tiren (Moiben), former MP Zakayo Cheruiyot, and former Uasin Gishu gubernatorial aspirant Zedekiah Kiprop aka Buzeki.
The politicians are planning to revamp Rutto's chama cha mashinani in readiness for a serious scramble for support in the vote-rich Rift Valley.
Speaking to a local daily, Kutuny said, 'The leaders who came together yesterday are like-minded. We have common issues we are championing for the sake of the community. There is a huge disconnect between wananchi and those they elected to high positions of power thinking they would come and champion their interests.'
He added that they have planned a series of meetings in the days to come to explore how to market their agenda, and that their team is not allied to the anti-Ruto outfit Kieleweke.
It is worth noting that Rutto had previously warmed up to the DP's camp, with a meeting held at his rural home in Tumoi, Bomet county last November.
However, it appears that Rutto has now shifted his allegiance back to his former allies, sparking a potential challenge to the DP's supremacy in the region.
Published on July 21, 2019
