This archive report was first published on 5 September 2019.
September 5, 2019
Politicians from the Rift Valley have accused ODM leader Raila Odinga of orchestrating the Mau evictions to undermine DP William Ruto's chances of becoming president in 2022.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei claimed that Raila's actions, including the handshake, fight against corruption, and Mau evictions, are part of a systematic approach to alienate Ruto from the country's politics.
“It is not even about tribes or regions, but about a few individuals who are power hungry … and the issue of referendum, lifestyle audit, corruption propaganda and now the Mau issue are all targeted at one person. The evictions are a targeted campaign against the Deputy President to prevent him from becoming the president in 2022,” Cherargei said.
Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng'eno and Konoin MP Brighton Yegon echoed Cherargei's sentiments, accusing Raila of using the Mau evictions to make Ruto's backyard a politically volatile area.
“Sadly, as the senior government officers engage in politics and setting up others to fall, the children are subjected to untold suffering,” Ng'eno said.
Meanwhile, Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok and nominated Jubilee MP David Sankok have initiated a process to bring together Maasai and Kalenjin leaders to address the issue.
