A former DP Ruto-allied governor now turned foe, has told the deputy president to keep off Taita Taveta issues and focus on his 2022 presidential bid.
Reacting after DP Ruto attended a fundraiser in his county Taita Taveta and remarked the County Government was being “childish”, Governor Granton Samboja launched a scathing attack on Ruto, calling him an uninvited arbiter.
“We know our problems will find a formula to sort out the stalemate. We don’t need Ruto’s help nor counsel over our internal affairs. That’s why you have not seen me going to his office to ask for help but instead reached out to President Uhuru Kenyatta and (opposition leader) Raila Odinga,” Samboja stated.
Dr Ruto appeals to Taita Taveta County leaders work together to sort Mwananchi's needs pic.twitter.com/6J2GmlaqE9
— Brian Khaniri (@BKhaniri) September 15, 2019
This came just hours after DP Ruto met over 30 Taita-Taveta MCAs in Nairobi, ostensibly to solve a budget impasse after governor Samboja threatened to dissolve the county.
Samboja also told DP Ruto off saying he lacked a proper understanding of the County’s impasse, and therefore, should focus on matters of land grabbing and squatter challenges.
“We don’t need his counsel and that is why even when I said we should dissolve the county assembly, I reached out to every other national leader but him. The petition will not land at his desk, so he cannot purport to speak on behalf of the presidency,” Samboja retorted.
TAITA TAVETA Governor Granton Samboja tells off DP Dr William Ruto; Says he fully supports the "handshake" between President Kenyatta and Raila Odinga #KhendoNews pic.twitter.com/w8VOSWdL5N
— Radio KhendoFM, 107.9 (@RadioKhendoFM) September 17, 2019
Over the weekend, DP Ruto wound up his four-day tour of the coastal counties, a visit that revealed a roll-back of the political gains Ruto had gained at the coast.
Starting off at Tana River County, DP Ruto was given a wide berth by area leaders, only being toured around by one MP. Area Governor Dhadho Godhana was a no-show.
Ruto would also be snubbed by his newfound South-coast point-man and Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya, who also skipped his events.
Only renegade Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa was seen with the deputy president when he toured Kilifi County. Governor Jeffa Kingi equally gave the event a wide berth.