Former Uasing Gishu gubernatorial aspirant Zedekiah Bundotich alias Buzeki has come out to condemn some key persons close to deputy president William Ruto for frustrating some leaders from the Rift Valley in the ruling party Jubilee.
Buzeki named constant intimidation from politicians close to DP Ruto. He particularly named Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, Soy MP Caleb Kositany and Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet whom he said are determined to keep on frustrating him and others in Jubilee.
Buzeki accused them of favouritism in the party saying that the three have joinedly killed the democracy in the party.
“We have discovered that there is no democracy in Jubilee. Elective positions are dished out based on patronage and sycophancy and we will not want to see a repeat of what happened in 2017,” said the Chemelil Sugar Company board chairman who contested the Uasin Gishu gubernatorial seat as an independent candidate.
Moiben MP Silas Tiren claimed the political battle in the Rift Valley is between politicians fighting to safeguard farmers’ interests and those who are only defending the presidential ambitions of one individual.
He said the Kalenjin community lost out in the recent plum state appointments due to lack of a strong defender of its interests in government.
Buzeki said Jubilee Party had lost popularity in the Rift Valley and it was time politicians joined other outfits. Buzeki, who was perceived to be a close ally of DP Ruto, claimed many independent-minded leaders from the Rift Valley not aligned to the top Jubilee leaders are positioning themselves in other parties ahead of 2022.
Tiren and Bundotich claimed several leaders from the region had expressed interests in joining Chama Cha Mashinani, a party headed by former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto
“Jubilee is now a stalled vehicle whose gearbox has been taken away. Its journey is turbulent and our people must not remain there,” said Buzeki.
He termed CCM as the vehicle for the region after the dissolution of the United Republican Party (URP)
But Baringo North MP William Cheptumo, Baringo South MP Charles Kamuren and Eldama Ravine’s Moses Lesonnet termed the turbulence in Jubilee as a “passing cloud.”
“Count on me fully. I will mobilise all votes and make sure the entire Baringo County is locked for DP Ruto in 2022,” Kamuren said.