Elgeyo-Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos has claimed that Rift Valley leaders were summoned and asked to frustrate the Handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga.
After prolonged weeks of political turmoil, President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila called for a truce, a move that caught many of their allies in darkness.
Deputy President William Ruto was among those who were kept in darkness when the two leaders agreed to work together in March 2018.
And Tolgos, who has since dumped DP Ruto's team, on Sunday said that they had been asked collectively to fight the handshake immediately it took place.
While Tolgos did not name the person who issued instructions, DP William Ruto controls Rift Valley region and most leaders are loyal to him.
"When President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga reconciled, where I come from, we were told to fight the handshake.
"I was the first person from my county to embrace the handshake and to defy all those leaders. I called Gideon Moi, they started saying that I had ditched them for KANU," he said.
In May this year, Tolgos ditched Tanga Tanga brigade, arguing that it had mislead the DP, adding that they were attacking every leader in the country.
“If the DP is relying on Tanga Tanga to deliver him the presidency in 2022 I am sorry to say it might be difficult for that to happen. Those in that team are always insulting everyone, from Raila to Gideon and anyone else including me,” he added.
Since then, Tolgos has hosted Mr Odinga in his county twice, besides holding meetings with KANU leader Gideon Moi, another close associate of Odinga.