HON. ALFRED KETTER IS TRULLY A FORCE TO RECKON IN RIFT VALLEY. By Kipchoge araap Chomu Whether we like it, believe it or not the Nandi Hills constituency legislator has made himself a national leader and soon he will begin to get names such whistle blower, voice of the voiceless and daredevil politician. Soon and very soon he will be made the Kalenjin spoke person replacing some of the distinguished politicians. Though we don’t want to admit, political heavyweights like our Deputy President and former prime minister trod the same path Hon. Alfred Ketter has chosen. Early reactions towards such budding leaders starts with rejections, then counter accusations and condemnations followed by persuasion and if all fails accommodation will have to be resorted to. By the time it comes to a settlement many issues unpalatable to common man could have been exchanged at the detriment of the citizenry confidence on the leadership. What common Kenyans have never understood is the thin seamless line of demarcation between politics and facts. We keep sides at the onset of any contention between our leaders before we even do a thorough check to separate myths from truths. It is common knowledge that for one to be relevant and be accorded audience, you should raise issues that is appealing to human need. Besides the railway saga, Hon. Keter is raising fundamentally relevant issues that touch the core of our very living. Coming from a tea growing zone, he has since raised the concern of his constituents on the fallen prize of tea from three and plus dollars to merely two! He has read mischief even in government agencies like KTDA who pay farmers varying bonuses’ rates in different regions of this country. The squatter menace especially in rift valley has become disastrous where in some parts foreigners are given land when Kenyans live squatting in abject poverty. Those who were flushed out of Embobut and Kipkurere forest were left behind during the past resettlements simply because these communities are resilient and do not make a lot of noise. But it is worth noting that silence is eloquence and prudent. Being in touch with the common Kenyans, Hon. Ketter by interrogating such pertinent issues has become the darling of the masses. Another issue Hon. Ketter has seriously discussed is the recent appointments by the Jubilee leadership of heads of government corporations. This has made his political star to rise higher to an extent where those who groomed the DP have thrown their support behind him. It has also emerged that some leaders of Kipsigiis origin who have relocated to Nandi County and given leadership positions are blaming the Jubilee for trying to build animosity between the two related Kalenjin sub communities. Hon. Julius Ruto alias Kiptindinyo, Kapsimotwo MCA Nandi county strongly blames the Jubilee leaders for sidelining the Nandis and appointing those of Kipsigiis origin then went ahead to allege that they regionally represent Nandi county. During an interview with the firebrand Kiptindinyo who himself originated from Kipsigiis, gave an example of cabinet secretary for Agriculture appointed on behalf of the Nandi county but just relocated the other day from Kipsigiis subsection of the Kalenjin. He cites qualified people like Dr. Kosgey who was frog matched from KEBS for no apparent reason, Dr.Bureeti, Mr. Chemiron, an economist part time lecturer at Egerton University and many others whom the jubilee government has winked at. Hon. Kiptindinyo posits that if people like Ambassador Muthaura could be appointed as head of a government Parastatal even former deputy speaker Hon. Samwel Ngeny too should have been considered. He further regrets that deputy president seemingly wishes to consider his friends in the alumni of both Kapsabet High school and the University of Nairobi. Last weekend a delegation that included two senators and two MPs from the North rift and the leader of majority in the national assembly Hon. Duale attended a funeral in Nandi hills constituency. Kapseret MP Hon. Sudi and Elgeiyo Marakwet Senator Hon. Murkomen had rough time when they started to condemn the area MP. It was apparent that their sole aim was to whip Hon. Keter over his stand on various issues, but the mourners became rowdy and shouted them down. When Hon. Haden Duale was on the podium accusing the youthful parliamentarian, Hon. Keter appeared from nowhere and mourning was replaced by songs and dance. When the ululation for Keter became uncontrollable they hurriedly entered their chopper and took off. After their departure the funeral continued and Hon. Keter later officiated over a fundraiser for the deceased hospital bill. It became clear that majority of Kenyans are behind the young politician especially with the new twist of events on the railway saga. His recent appearance before parliamentary investment committee drilled the last nail on the coffin of the blacklisted Chinese company. Our advice to the jubilee brigade is that they should change the tact of taming the Nandi Hills Member of Parliament. Condemnations, accusations and chide has miserably failed. Kipchoge araap Chomu is a writer and can be reached at kipchogechomu@gmail
Posted on: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 05:53:24 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015