Five Jubilee Party legislators from Elgeyo Marakwet county accused President Uhuru Kenyatta of weaponizing anti-graft operations against Kalenjin officials in 2019 to hinder Deputy President William Ruto's 2022 presidential ambitions, alleging selective enforcement of investigations.
The lawmakers—Marakwet East MP Kangogo Bowen, Keiyo South's Daniel Rono, Marakwet West's William Kisang, Woman Representative Jane Chebaibai, and county assembly speaker Phillemon Sabulei—made the claims during a public address in Eldoret. They emphasized their support for anti-corruption efforts but warned against political manipulation of probes.
Bowen criticized the government for using graft investigations as a tool, stating, "If Uhuru does not want Ruto, let him not sacrifice Kalenjins. Let him engage Ruto on his own." He highlighted the four-day DCI interrogation of Finance CS Henry Rotich over Arror and Kimwarer dam scandals, noting Rotich had approved 22 dams nationwide.
Kisang accused Kenyatta of leveraging alliances with former leader Raila Odinga to marginalize Kalenjin interests, saying, "They are talking of building bridges for peace while demolishing bridges to stop some people in 2022." He referenced former President Daniel Moi's 2002 endorsement of Kenyatta, arguing political preferences do not guarantee electoral success.
Chebaibai defended the dams as essential for addressing security challenges in Kerio Valley, while Sabulei called for expanded investigations into projects in the president's home region. The legislators stressed their support for anti-graft efforts but warned against politicizing them for 2022 election strategies.
