Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos appeared to chide those saying that his influence does not extend beyond his county, citing his ability to host former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as evidence of the reach of his influence.
Speaking during the funeral of nominated MCA Johnstone Kasenge on Saturday, the county boss strongly rejected the suggestion that his influence ends at Iten, saying that he was a national leader.
"There are others who said, when I talked about Aror and Kimwarer, that my network ends at Iten. I am wondering if sitting down with the prime minister means my network ends at Iten. That's a network that extends to Nairobi. (Wengine walisema wakati mimi niliongea mambo ya Aror na Kimwarer, wakaniambia network yangu inaishia Iten. Sasa mimi nashindwa kama siku hizi nakaa na prime minister hiyo network ni ya Iten? Si hiyo ni network ya mpaka Nairobi)," the Elgeyo Marakwet governor said.
The relationship between the ODM leader and the Elgeyo Marakwet county boss has ruffled the feathers of Ruto-backing legislators and as the county is widely regarded as the deputy president's turf.
Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, who is the county's senator, is a staunch Deputy President Dr William Ruto's ally.
Also in attendance at the funeral at the funeral was Raila Odinga.
Tolgos has hosted Raila Odinga on previous occasions, a sign that the county boss is cozying up to the former prime minister.