DEPUTY President William Ruto has called a meeting with Rift Valley MPs after they threatened to withdraw support for the government following the mass appointments to state corporations.
The crisis meeting is expected to take place at Weston Hotel, Lang’ata Road, from 6pm today.
Marakwet West MP William Kisang, the secretary general of the Rift Valley Parliamentary Group, is coordinating the meeting.
“… you are invited for a meeting/dinner that will be hosted by HE William Ruto at Weston Hotel tomorrow from 6pm. Please let’s keep time,” reads the SMS circulated by Kisang to all Rift MPs.
Prior to that, Ruto’s United Republican Party has scheduled a National Executive Committee meeting this morning to discuss, among other things, the fresh discontent that is emerging.
Yesterday MPs from Ruto’s political base had arranged a press conference where they were to denounce the latest appointments made by President Uhuru Kenyatta, but cancelled it without explanation.
It is understood that Ruto had entered into an agreement with the MPs that at least each of their constituencies would be given two positions to nominate an individual of their choice for appointment to the parastatal sector.
“We were very unhappy and, as you may be aware, there was a planned press conference to express our unhappiness. I don’t know how the DP got to know about it, but, within no time, we were told to put the press conference on hold, then shortly we received an invite for a meeting with him [Ruto],” an MP who did not want to be named told the Star.
“We had an agreement that each of us would be given an opportunity to nominate at least two individuals from our constituencies, but we were shocked and disappointed when new faces were appointed, yet we gave out their CVs,” he added.
Today’s NEC is also supposed to address the emerging opposition in the region led by Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto and Baringo Senator Gideon Moi.
An SMS seen by the Star sent by URP chairman Bare Shill reads in part:
“Greetings from URP head office. You are hereby invited for a special NEC meeting to be held at our party head office – Ngong Road off Mucai Drive – on Thursday 30th April 2015, starting from 9.00 am up to 1.00pm. Kindly confirm attendance and please keep time. Thanks. Hon Bare Shill – Chairman.â€
On Tuesday Governor Rutto sensationally stated he will meet Deputy President Ruto and agree on who between them will succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta at the 2022 General Election.
Speaking at Litein town during a funds drive to offset rent arrears for the Bureti sub-county URP office, the Bomet Governor said he and the DP are great leaders and one of them can succeed Uhuru and effectively deliver for the entire country.
“We hear that one of the Rutos will be on the 2022 presidential ballot paper to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta; I share the same name with the Deputy President and before that time comes I will meet my namesake William and agree who between us will go for the top seatâ€, Governor Rutto said.
Dismissing the formation of the Jubilee Alliance Party as a scheme to divide members of URP and The National Alliance, Governor Rutto accused top politicians from both URP and TNA of having come up with JAP without consulting the grassroots.
Accompanied by Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony during the funds drive, Governor Rutto dismissed the mass appointment of parastatal board members and chairpersons.
“Why haul tired and weary former politicians from their deep slumber and put them in boards that need energetic individuals to steer to greater heights of development?†Governor Rutto grumbled.
-The Star
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