Supporters of Deputy President William Ruto took to the streets on Thursday, March 12 in Kabarnet, Baringo County to protest calls from a section of leaders for Ruto to resign.
The protesters gathered in the morning outside the Baringo County Assembly building where they began chanting pro-Ruto slogans.
A heavy police presence was witnessed as the crowds built up outside the assembly before they headed into Kabarnet town.
With Kabarnet OCPD Francis Gachoki reportedly having cancelled a permit for the gathering, police fired teargas to disperse the protesters in Kabarnet town.
Some of the protesters also voiced their opposition to Baringo Woman Representative Gladwell Tungo, who was elected on a Kenya African National Union (KANU) ticket and has been a vocal supporter of Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, Ruto’s rival.
In December 2019, for instance, Tungo made headlines as she lashed out at Baringo leaders who questioned her absence at an event presided over by Ruto in Baringo, the Kimalel Goat Auction.
“The leaders present didn’t have anything else to offer except standing at the podium to speak about me and Senator Gideon Moi. I am not your wife. While I am doing my work in this county, I don’t ask about other people. I don’t know why I had to become a subject of discussion for the leaders.
“I respect Deputy President William Ruto but the leaders he has surrounding him are always ready to attack other leaders.
They made sure that they politicised the whole process only meant to create a good market for the goat farmers in Baringo County,” she asserted.
The press conference held at Parliament on Wednesday, March 11 by over 50 lawmakers allied to President Uhuru Kenyatta and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga had seen Ruto accused of failing to support Uhuru in executing his mandate.
They called for the Deputy President to step aside,claiming he had brought the DP’s office into disrepute as he was linked to multiple scandals.
“The deputy president is definitely guilty of public misconduct and grave malpractices and has not lived up to the oath of office that he subscribed before assuming office.
“He has not brought honour to the nation and dignity to the office of the deputy president and has failed to promote public confidence in the integrity of the high office. He would rather rule Kenya than serve the people,” their statement read in part.
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