The burial of former nominated MP Mark Too turned into a political battleground as leaders clashed in front of President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The clash appeared to be a battle between Deputy President William Ruto’s camp against Baringo Senator Gideon Moi.
The exchanges started after Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen asked Moi to work under Ruto.
When Moi rose to give his tribute, he threw a thinly-veiled attack at Ruto’s camp after he asked Murkomen and his ‘friends’ to check on the meaning of a hustler.
The Deputy President has in the past claimed the hustler title, owing to his humble beginnings.
Moi went further and stated that a hustler should be a person who struggles for the community and not for himself.
The Baringo Senator, however, assured that he would not be the one to divide the Kalenjin vote in 2017 and urged President Kenyatta to campaign directly in the region.
National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale took a blatant political attack at Moi, choosing to be more direct in his message.
“I want to tell you, Gideon Moi, that KANU will not get any seats in Rift Valley as Jubilee will conduct fair polls,” Duale stated.
He added, “We as the pastoralist community supported former President. We ask that in return, you support William Ruto.”
On his part, DP Ruto did not speak on the matter directly but asked the community to remain united.
“We are going to vote for President Uhuru in 2017, let us avoid those who are trying to divide us,” Ruto stated.
He later launched an attack at the Baringo Senator’s request that President Kenyatta should campaign directly.
“Do not disturb President Kenyatta. Anything you want, ask me,” Ruto stated.
He added that the community’s support for former President Daniel Moi should not be taken lightly but should be maintained through the region’s unity.
President Kenyatta avoided taking sides on the matter, but instead encouraged Ruto and Gideon to work together to ensure Jubilee is re-elected in 2017.
