A section of Rift Valley governors has now gone silent on Deputy President William Ruto’s presidency months after they vowed to stand with him to the end.
Governors Josphat Nanok (Turkana, ODM), Patrick Khaemba (Trans Nzoia, Ford-Kenya) and John Lonyang’apuo (West Pokot, Kanu) seem to have backtracked after they affirmed that Ruto was the best bet for the presidency.
Ruto had won the hearts of the governors when he embarked on a charm offensive in the region but they have not been active in the political arena.
His mission was to ensure the region is fully behind him as he seeks to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta. The trio has since taken a low profile and is hardly seen in public functions.
Nanok has been seen in a number of DP Ruto’s functions including those in Uasin Gishu after he fell out with ODM leader Raila Odinga. In an interview with Daily Nation, Khaemba said that he is no longer interested in the succession politics at the moment.
The county boss said that he wants to concentrate on matters of development as he seeks to leave behind a legacy when he completes his term in office.
“I support Uhuru’s administration because my people are benefiting. Currently, we are doing development, not politics,” he said, as quoted by Daily Nation.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei opines that the handshake between Uhuru and Odinga is among the reasons why most of the governors have decided to remain silent on their support for DP Ruto.