New Year Eve turned chaotic after a hostile crowd attacked Bomet County Governor Joyce Laboso on Monday night at a local stadium.
Dr Laboso who failed to address her New Year’s message was in the company of Senator Christopher Langat, Woman Rep Joyce Korir and several MCAs were greeted by residents chanting Chama Cha Mashinani slogans at the function.
Residents who braved a drizzle and a cold night waved the CCM placards and chanted support for the party as they surged forward while the leaders and organisers watched in dismay from the dais.
Dr Laboso were forced to sneak out of the function held at Bomet Green stadium after it turned out she was in for a hostile reception.
The ceremony which entailed prayers and an all night long entertainment by various secular and gospel artistes and comedians had been organised by the county government in collaboration with Taach FM, a local radio station.
“It is a tradition for the sitting governor and the leaders present to address the participants in such functions, but this time around, the crowd could not allow their representatives to do that,” said Mr Dancel Kirui, a former parliamentary aspirant in Bomet Central.
Mr Kirui said, “This is an indictment on the leaders of the county who should read the writing on the wall. It speaks of volumes of how the elected leaders are out of touch with the voters on the ground.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Dr Laboso called for unity among leader in the county. She was speaking during a party hosted by the Senator Lang’at at his home in Kibisorwet village, Chepalungu sub-county.
“We should all seek to open a new chapter by minimising political spats and instead come together, identify and roll out development projects for the benefit of the people at the grassroots,” said Dr Laboso.