President Uhuru Kenyatta's Visit of Elgeyo Mrakwet Met with Hostile Reception

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto were on Tuesday confronted with local political supremacy battles between Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos and his rival Moses Changwony during their Elgeyo Marakwet tour.

The President's meeting was full of tension as supporters of Governor Tolgos (a close lieutenant of the DP) clashed with supporters of Mr Changwony an Independent candidate in the Elgeyo Marakwet gubernatorial race.

The President steered clear of the matter choosing to leave it to the DP.

"I do not want to get involved in the local politics but I want to leave it to you and William," the President stated amid applauses.

DP Ruto on his part stated that he was aware of the local politics and explained that the Independent candidate could not be allowed to cause divisions in the county inhabited by the two dominant communities of Marakwet and Keiyo.

He drummed up support for Mr Tolgos but to his disappointment, the supporters of Mr Changwony continued booing him.

The continued booing forced him to assure the residents that he had heard their cry and would look into the matter.

"I have heard you and we are going to digest that. We have agreed that we will vote Uhuru for President 100 per cent, but this one for Governorship you leave to me so that we can make it a housekeeping for another day," Ruto stated.

When Governor Tolgos rose to speak, Mr Changwony’s supporters heckled him but he (Tolgos) still assured the President that he would win the race explaining that his opponent was not competing with him for the first time.

"Your Excellency, I have beaten him thrice and I will still beat him in August," Tolgos stated.

Earlier on, there was chaos in Iten Town between the supporters of the two leaders where Mr Changwony's team allegedly hurled stones at a lorry ferrying Governor Tolgos' supporters while those on foot were being roughed up and posters destroyed.

Governor Tolgos will face off with Mr Changwony in the August elections.