Deputy President William Ruto's team has strongly hit back against Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter after he published a screenshot of a message he claimed was sent by the DP.
Keter took to social media on Wednesday, October 30, to attack Ruto over the alleged text, in which the Jubilee Party deputy leader was rallying MP's to support McDonald Mariga in Kibra.
"Members, as you are aware, there is a general election happening in Kibra. We need 75 MPs to help as agents to protect Mariga's Jubilee vote. Please register through this number by tomorrow, Thursday, October 31, by 3 p.m.," the message Keter claimed was sent by the DP read.
The legislator responded harshly, stating that he would not drum up support for Mariga in Kibra.
"No amount of lobbying nor intimidation is going to make me support a non-starter like Mariga who has never voted in his life and is not even from Kibra. Period!" Keter tweeted.
However, Jubilee's director of communication, Albert Mwemusi, called out Keter for fake news and clarified that the message wasn't sent by the ruling party's deputy leader.
"I don't believe such a message was sent out. Most of us who are in Jubilee are on the ground campaigning for Mariga and we expect all Jubilee MPs to be on the same agenda.
"There are very few Kalenjin constituents in Kibra. Does Keter vote in Kibra? What impact does he have?" Mwemusi wondered.
The MP has been at loggerheads with the DP numerous times. In August 2018, a section of Rift Valley leaders blasted him for attacking Ruto at a public ceremony in Kisumu.
Kipkelion West MP Hillary Kosgey and his Ainamoi counterpart Sylvanus Maritim accused Keter of being used by opposition leaders to taint the image of DP Ruto.
Keter had criticised Ruto for allegedly being corrupt and spelled doom on the DP's 2022 presidential ambitions.
“I pray that you will not be president come 2022," Keter stated.
