Rivalry on control of resources and local political competitions for DP William Ruto's Gusii campaigns informed a scuffle that led to the slapping of Antony Kibagendi, a mandarin from the office of Deputy President, it has emerged.
Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi, who also coordinates Mr Ruto's campaigns across Kisii and Nyamira Counties, slapped Mr Kibagendi following a disagreement on Friday, few minutes before the DP landed for Kisii University graduation.
But according to Mr Kibagendi, Mr Maangi is unhappy with blossoming friendship of Ruto with Kitutu Chache South MP Richard Onyonka, who is allied to Ruto's camp and has equally announced his bid to succeed Governor James Ongwae.
"What happened is that I was waiting for the DP at Kisii Sports Club,Maangi called me to the side,he asked why i keep taking Hon. Onyonka to the DP.
"I told him that the DP and Onyonka have their own friendship,then I told him very respectfully that I don't think he can be elected to be governor of Kisii County, which is my opinion, he hurriedly tried to slap me and ran into a group of bodyguards who were standing nearby. That is all," he said.
While Kibagendi insists that Maangi only attempted to slap him, a video that has since gone viral shows the contrary. In the video, he's heard insisting that indeed he was slapped by the DG.
But a source who spoke in confidence, says the two, besides the Onyonka factor, are wrangling over the control of resources from the DP's office meant for campaigns in Kisii and Nyamira Counties.
"It is just about control of resources. They both want to be in charge thus the animosity. That is the main reason behind their disagreement."
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