Leaders Boycott William Ruto Meetings Amid Sharp Split In President Uhuru Turf By Kamau Maichuhie Sunday, October 5th 2014 For the second time now, Deputy President William Ruto has been caught in the crossfire of political differences among MPs in Central Kenya. Either by coincidence or design, Ruto has attended two functions in the largely Jubilee stronghold which have been boycotted by MPs, not because of his presence, but because of political differences between the hosts and their peers. However, some observers say TNA MPs could be sending coded messages to Ruto that all is not well and that his position of Deputy President does not mean much to them, politically. An embarrassing scenario played out last weekend when Ruto was in President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Gatundu South backyard. Ruto was hosted at Gathiriga AIC church in Gatundu by local MP Moses Kuria. The event was boycotted by 13 MPs from Kiambu County. Kiambu County Senator Kimani Wamatangi attended the function while Kigo Njenga of Gatundu North arrived towards the end of the event. Kuria is yet to establish a good rapport with local MPs, some who had campaigned against him before he pulled a rug under their feet and captured the seat after his strongest opponent Joachim Kamere to promote party unity. Although the MPs are denying they boycotted the function, insisting that it was due to short notice, sources say that Kuria is yet to mend fences with the other legislators and thus the snub. It was the second time Ruto was coming face to face with political intrigues in Central Kenya, having witnessed the same scenario play out in Murang’a County during the home-coming of Women Representative Sabina Chege. Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau, Clement Wambugu (Mathioya), Nyingi Ngahu (Kangema) and Kandara’s Alice Wahome snubbed the thanksgiving ceremony. Sources claim the MPs boycotted the event despite having been invited because they felt undermined. But the MPs denied this and insisted that they had other engagements. What has baffled political observers, however, is not the differences between the local MPs but the fact that the DP’s presence was casually overlooked. Being Uhuru’s deputy, Ruto is expected to draw both friends and foes in Central but from the two incidents, it is clear his presence has made little difference. Political analyst Wahome Gikonyo says the two incidents have laid bare the “petty political turf wars among some of these MPs.”
Posted on: Mon, 06 Oct 2014 07:16:06 +0000
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