A section of Rift Valley leaders have asked Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto not to form another party to ensure solidarity in politics of the region.
Leading the group, Uasin Gishu Senator Isaac Melly said the Governor should be focused on unifying the South Rift bloc by getting support for the Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) in preparation for the 2017 elections.
"There is no way we can build two houses at once, that is the genesis of dividing the Rift Valley voting bloc based on selfish interests. JAP is currently not about President Uhuru Kenyatta and his ambitions for 2017, it is more for the Deputy President William Ruto because it is his political vehicle, which he will use in seeking the presidency in 2022. That is why there is no need for us to have more than two parties in place," Melly said.
Speaking in Eldoret Ainabkoi legislator Samuel Chepkonga, said that if Rutto formed another political outfit it would jeopardise the unity of the region and subsequently disrupt plans to have the DP vie for presidency in 2022.
"It is currently not the best time for us to have another party, we should instead channel our energies in making sure that the Opposition does not get a chance to wrestle us in the next poll," he said.
Rutto however declared that if the United Republican Party (URP)was to merge to form JAP, he would go ahead and form another party.
"Nothing can stop us from forming another party. I will organize to meet with former councilors and community elders so that we can plan towards the creation of a new party," he said.
National Assembly Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso warned Rutto against his plans saying that he would be committing political suicide if he opted to go ahead with his ideas. Laboso also added that she would vie against the governor in the 2017 elections.
"Look at what happened to politicians like the late Kipkalya Kones, who was the King of the Kipsigis politics," she warned.
