A Jubilee governor attempted to block Deputy President William Ruto from touring his county, a show of the growing rift in the ruling party.
On Tuesday, February 18, blogger Dennis Itumbi lamented that that Embu Governor, Martin Wambora, had closed Embu Stadium and all other venues, arguing that they were set for renovations, after DP Ruto announced that he would tour the county on Saturday, February 22.
"Embu Moi Stadium has been closed for renovations as efforts to modernise the facility is still in motion. The stadium will be open for use from the second weekend of March this year.
"Embu County's Chief Officer for Youth Empowerment and Sports, Samuel Wachira said the stadium has been closed to allow the construction of a proper drainage system to avert flooding whenever it rains. He also added that they are landscaping and trimming the grass," Itumbi stated.
The blogger who is Ruto's ally, further stated that the Sports chief officer argued that the county was maintaining all the 20 wards in the county to nurture talents among the youth.
He later shared a message from an insider, who disclosed that the closure was an attempt to block Ruto as part of a power-play orchestrated by the governor.
"Embu has no budget line for renovations. We do not have that money. I am telling you from a point of authority. These are just games by the governor and team.
"We have not approved any maintenance or renovation of the stadium or any other ground," the text read, as Itumbi disclosed that the governor had rescinded his decision, allowing the meeting to take place.
The issue was a subject of discussion on NTV's Sidebar, hosted by Ken Mijungu, on Tuesday, February 18, as the anchor involved Soy MP, Caleb Kositany and his Homabay counterpart Peter Kaluma in the debate.
"The issue not only concerns me but also many Kenyans. I also heard that story but I am told that the governor reconsidered his decision, and the venue will be available. I don't know how true that is. However, the function is a church function and not a political function. I don't know why Kenyans are desperate to block Ruto from church functions," Kositany, Ruto's confidant," wondered.
"If the DP's team does not believe in the reasons being given (on being blocked in Embu), they can go to court," Kaluma added.
Video: NTV
