Politics in the Rift Valley have taken interesting
twists in recent months and two key leaders, Deputy President William Ruto and
the fiery Bomet Governor, Isaac Rutto are at the heart of events.
On one hand, a political ‘rebellion’ led by the
Bomet Governor has shaken the deputy president and his die-hard lieutenants in
Kipchumba Murkomen, Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandago and his Narok
counterpart, Ole Tunai among others.
Gideon Moi, Senator John Lonyangapuo, vibrant Nandi
Hills legislator, Alfred Keter and Johanna Ng’eno of Emurua Dikiir are helping
Rutto stamp his rising authority in The Rift. The voting block, previously seen
to be under the mercy of the deputy president has never been this divided.
Weeks ago, the little-known Mashinani Party led by Rutto
and his men swept aside Deputy President’s man in a ward by-election in Bomet
County. It was the much-needed spring that will eventually lift Rutto to
shaking the deputy president in a manner few expected.
On March 7, the Kericho senatorial seat is up for
grabs. Once again, Rutto and his ally-turned-foe Ruto will face off in one
battle that will go a long way in determining who wields the political power as
we head to 2017.
The drums are beating and Rutto and his friends from
URP have thrown their weight behind KANU’s Paul Sang. This has irked the Deputy
President and his loyalists who have their hopes on the shoulders of Aaron
Cheruiyot.
It is a political contest that has thrown URP and
the JUBILEE coalition into disarray. An aspiring king is leading a vicious
democratic onslaught to topple the king.
Sadly to the Deputy President’s loyalists, their
leader has publicly shown nerves much to the joy of the Rutto-led camp.
The popular decision by the people of Bomet County
on Monday will have two repercussions; Ruto will be left battered and severely
vanquished or he will survive the onslaught and dismiss Rutto as a political
lightweight.
It is a referendum on the Deputy President’s
political grip on Rift Valley!
