Heated political tension between Deputy President William Ruto and politicians allied to Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Fred Matiang'i is taking up a definite form in Gusiiland.
The two camps are tearing further apart and have now been bold to openly air their different affiliations with the opposers of Ruto pushing so hard for Matiang'i's prominence in the region.
Two weeks ago, Ruto was in Nyamira County where he spoke in four rallies alongside his MP allies.In less than 10 days, the other camp organized an event at Tindereti in Nyamira that was viewed as a counter-rally to Ruto’s.
Those believed to be allied to Matiang’i include Nyamira Governor John Nyagarama, Kisii Senator Sam Ongeri and his Nyamira counterpart Okong’o Mogeni, Nakuru West MP Samuel Arama and a host of MCAs from the region.
The DP’s camp comprises MPs Joash Nyamoko, who is the Chairman of Gusii MPs Caucus, Jerusha Momanyi (Nyamira Woman Rep), Shadrack Mose (Kitutu Masaba), Vincent Kemosi (West Mugirango), Ben Momanyi (Borabu) Alfa Miruka (Machoge Chache), Innocent Obiri (Bobasi) and Sylvanus Osoro (South Mugirango).
Matiang’i has severally denied any involvement in the ongoing political abrasions and maintained he remains a civil servant until his contract ends.
“I am a civil servant and it should be understood so. I don’t play politics because I have unfinished task of serving Kenyans as the President wants,” the CS told the Sunday Standard.
In the rally at Tindereti, speakers were against Ruto’s presidential ambitions.
All speakers talked about a possible way of blocking Ruto presidencytial bid in 2022, with all of them saying a different person should be president.
Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua, who also attended the rally told the Gusii residents to ensure neither Ruto nor any politician from the two large voting blocs of Central and Rift Valley ascends to the presidency.Similar sentiments were aired by Ongeri, Nyagarama and Okong’o who declared their support for Dr Matiang’i should he express interest in any political seat.
Arama said politicians from the Gusii region supporting Ruto at the expense of Matiang’i will lose their seats in the next polls.
“We cannot continue supporting a leader from whom we have not seen any benefit. We supported President Kenyatta together with Ruto but the post of Cabinet Secretary we have was Uhuru’s reward to us. What did the DP give us in his share of Cabinet slots?” Arama posed.
However, MP Joash Nyamoko defended Ruto over appointments.
“Matiang’i was appointed after Uhuru and DP agreed over it. No decision was made by the President that never had his deputy’s blessings,” the North Mugirango MP retorted.
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