Deputy President (DP) William Ruto was on Wednesday forced to apologise to residents of Kericho County after they condemned him for the government's wrongdoing.
Speaking during a campaign rally in the county, the United Republican Party leader was shocked when leaders in the area criticized him for sidelining the region and failing to honour their agreement with their Jubilee coalition counterparts.
“I agree that we have not performed as per the expectations of our people but want to say that the people you elected have let you and me down and I apologise,” the DP pleaded.
The area leaders took turns to attack Ruto, complaining about appointments in the government which they said favoured one family from the region, as a crowd of over 2000 residents cheered them on.
However, Ruto defended himself saying that he was not aware of the claims, pushing the blame to local leaders for misleading him.
“We did appointments on merit and I had no knowledge about their family backgrounds. I am sorry if the appointees’ turned out to be relatives of the official you are referring to,” he remarked.
The Deputy President admitted that he was saddened to see people from his own backyard undermining and rejecting him.
“I am not a leader who can be defined by where I come from, I am a national leader who has been appreciated by Kenyans all over and it’s saddening to see people in my own political backyard spending their energy to undermine me,” he complained.
He passionately pleaded with residents to vote for the Jubilee candidate in the upcoming by-election for Kericho's Senatorial seat, adding that a loss would be a blow to his political career.
“The loss of the Bomet Nyongores Ward seat has led some people to begin questioning whether I really call the shots in South Rift. All eyes have shifted to Kericho, please don’t let me down,” he begged.
Mr Ruto had joined area Members of Parliaments to popularise their candidate Aaron Cheruiyot.
