The tragic landslide that occurred on Saturday in West Pokot County did not only tear the ground apart but also top leaders in the country.
From a close look at events in terms of government participation in rescue operations and disaster management, there is seemingly a sprawling rift between Deputy President William Ruto and Interior and Coordination of National Government Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.
On Monday morning, the CS together with his Devolution counterpart Eugene Wamalwa were on a trip to West Pokot to deliver aid to the victims.
However, their trip was cut short by bad weather forcing them to stop at Eldoret International Airport.
State officers, including CS @EugeneLWamalwa, @IG_NPS, Rift Valley RC and I have been compelled to land at Eldoret Int'l Airport on our way to West Pokot due to inclement weather. We hope to make there soon to appraise recovery & response operations and make possible adjustments. pic.twitter.com/LJxfjwz4TK
— Dr. Fred Matiang'i (@FredMatiangi) November 25, 2019
These misfortunes left DP Ruto the hero of the day as he was able to beat the odds of bad weather and visit victims of the tragedy at Kapenguria Hospital.
Ruto’s chopper landed in West Pokot county on Monday afternoon ferrying medical equipment, staff, and other needed aid.
DP @WilliamsRuto airlifting medical personnel to the affected sites in West Pokot. pic.twitter.com/JWkuaLenhX
— Dennis Itumbi, HSC (@OleItumbi) November 25, 2019
DP @WilliamsRuto is currently at Kapenguria Hospital visiting those who got injured in The West Pokot landslide pic.twitter.com/D8Kfzcj4H0
— Dennis Itumbi, HSC (@OleItumbi) November 25, 2019
Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, who is an affiliate of Ruto, went ahead to hint on a rift between the two leaders making a satirical comment on Matiang’i’s chopper failing to reach the tragedy struck county.
We are Kapenguria to see victims of landslide. Weather not good for Matiangi’s chopper.Meanwhile PS Powon&Sunkuli have locked the food &clothes for victims inside a store&ran away with th keys to join Natembeya&Matiangi in planing for the most important BBI. Residents to break in pic.twitter.com/NtHOEX6Ej9
— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) November 25, 2019
The West Pokot tragedy comes at a time when there is tension between Ruto’s anti-BBI team and Uhuru-Raila’s handshake team that is behind the Building Bridges Initiative which will be launched on Tuesday.
The DP’s team has shown disregard for the BBI report, pointing fingers at Matiang’i and his team for leaving victims of the landslide to attend to the BBI big day preparations.
The Monday afternoon rift has also attracted ODM members who have accused Ruto of show off at a time of tragedy.
ODM’s communications director is one of the party’s members who disregarded Ruto’s move to rescue Kenyans stating that it was a way of seeking political mileage.
We cannot seek political mileage through other people’s misfortunes. The people of West Pokot don’t need copter trips competition, they need proper treatment. They are mourning. Someone competing to beat the other in arriving there is a BS #Disaster4PoliticalOpportunity
— Philip Etale (@EtalePhilip) November 25, 2019
It is a tensed moment for DP Ruto who has been swept away by the wave to the extent of praying for the BBI.