{UAH} Pojim/WBK: Standard Digital News : : The Counties - Political battles take shape in Kenya’s Rift Valleys as corruption debate intensifies

http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/thecounties/article/2000156973/political-battles-take-shape-in-kenya-s-rift-valleys-as-corruption-debate-intensifies

Standard Digital News : : The Counties

The alleged grabbed veterinary land that is said to be grabbed by Agriculture CS Felix Koskei in Tigoti Limuru. [PHOTO: WILLIS AWANDU/STANDARD]

NAKURU: A serious disagreement has erupted in Rift Valley among members of the United Republican Party ( URP) over the purge on corrupt public officers that has claimed a number of senior politicians and professionals in the region.

The region was hardest hit with Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir and his Agriculture counterpart Felix Koskei adversely mentioned.

Others are Kenya Pipeline Corporation Managing Director Charles Tanui and National Social Security Fund Managing Trustee Richard Langat and governors Isaac Ruto (Bomet), Samuel Tunai (Narok) and Josphat Nanok (Turkana).

Also in the list is Maryanne Keitany, chief of staff in the office of the deputy president, in a move many leaders say casts aspersion on the person of Deputy President William Ruto.

Governor Ruto has dared his detractors to a political duel, saying he is ready to fend off any impeachment plot against him.

FORCIBLY EJECTED

Ruto has remained firm, saying the institution of the Presidency should not be belittled by people keen on arm-twisting those pointing out ills in society and calling for devolution to be embraced.

"Political operatives in the corridors of power should come to the ground to do political battles. They should not imagine that they can handpick leaders and craft a list of candidates to be imposed on the people in the next general election," the governor said.

Already a number of names have been floated to oppose Ruto in the gubernatorial contest come 2017 and National Assembly Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso and Dr Julius Kones are some of those lined up.

The governor has not taken this move lightly and his close allies have intimated that Ruto has been warming up to Kanu and indeed a number of defections from URP have been planned for this weekend.

As things appear to simmer in Bomet, the same is being reported in Narok County where legislators opposed to Tunai have piled pressure on him to quit over allegations of irregular procurement, mismanagement of county revenue and nepotism in his office.

Moitalel ole Kenta (Narok North) and Patrick Ntutu (Narok West) have now asked Deputy Governor Evelyne Aruasa to take over from Tunai.

‎The two say Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) has vindicated them and they have asked the governor to step aside or he be forcefully ejected from office.

"Our complaints of financial impropriety that we have had against Tunai will soon be made known to the people of Narok and we want the deputy governor to prepare to take over," Kenta said.

The Narok North MP warned that should the governor fail to step aside, they will lead demonstrators to eject him from office on April 13.

CORRUPT DEALINGS

"We are shaming those that have been claiming that we are tribal by throwing our support behind Aruasa. She has not been mentioned and constitutionally she is the second in command in our county," he said.

Ntutu said they will support Aruasa to serve the remaining term should the governor be found guilty.

"We have no problem with Aruasa and those who have tried to project us as tribal and favouring certain clans should read from this. The people of Narok must be served and Aruasa was also duly elected and has what it takes to steer the county," he said.

He said the allegations against the governor are straight forward and appealed to EACC to expedite the investigations so that the people of Narok get to know the truth.

The two further challenged MCAs to desist from lying to the governor that they can protect him.

"We also want Assembly Majority Leader Stephen Kudate investigated for engaging in corrupt deals," Kenta said.

In Nakuru County, the purge on corrupt public officers could jeopardise Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Kimemia's chances of replacing Governor Kinuthia Mbugua in 2017.

Kimemia, who has been accused of being behind an irregular Sh1 billion tender at the Ministry of Interior and Co-ordination, was believed to be conducting early campaigns to dislodge Mbugua after spending most of his weekends in Nakuru conducting harambees and attending public forums.

Standard Digital News : : The Counties - Political battles take shape in Kenya's Rift Valleys as corruption debate intensifies
http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/thecounties/article/2000156973/political-battles-take-shape-in-kenya-s-rift-valleys-as-corruption-debate-intensifies‎

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