A group of politicians who had gone to condole with former President Daniel Arap Moi at his Kabarak home on Friday, following the death of his son Jonathan Toroitich, was reportedly denied access despite booking appointments.
It is reported that the delegation was led by Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka and included Baringo Governor Stanley Kiptis, his Kakamega counterpart Wycliffe Oparanya , senators Susan Kihika (Nakuru), James Orengo (Siaya) and Fatuma Dullo (Isiolo).
According to two senators who spoke to Capital FM News, upon arrival at Moi’s Kabarak residence, they were received by Gideon Moi who informed them that they could only see Mzee Moi after 11.30 am.
They stated that they found it very strange considering that they had booked an appointment in advance.
On the other hand, The Star reported that the Baringo Senator was uncomfortable with the coming of Kiptis and Kihika, who are close allies of Deputy President William Ruto “prompting him to block all the leaders from condoling with the retired president.
A source who spoke to the publication claimed that Lusaka had been told not to include Kiptis in his delegation.
However, on the way to Kabarak, the Lusaka team asked the Baringo governor to alight from his official car and share a ride with Lusaka into the Kabarak home.
The decision to deny the leaders access was linked to the bad blood between Gideon and Ruto who are embroiled in bitter political supremacy.
On Wednesday, Ruto flew to Kabi Moi, the home of the late Jonathan in Baringo where he consoled his widow and children but did not go to the former president’s home some 50 kilometers away.
Ruto was accompanied by Baringo Governor Stanley Kiptis, MPs Moses Lessonet (Eldama Ravine), Caleb Kositany (Soy) and Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira).
The late Jonathan is expected to be buried on Saturday at his home in Kabimoi, in Eldama Ravine with a funeral service held at his father’s home in Kabarak.
