Embattled Taita Taveta Governor Granton Samboja has accused Deputy President William Ruto of allegedly insulting the entire community in the region.
Dr Ruto toured Taita Taveta on Sunday and Monday. Most elected leaders from the region snubbed the DP despite initially committing themselves to support him.
And in a funeral on Monday, Samboja lashed out to the DP, insisting that his remarks about budget stalemate were targeting the entire community.
"I am shocked with DP Ruto's remarks, telling Taita people that they are stupid and don't have brains. I think you've all heard about that. We respect him as DP but if he's reverted to abuses, I will not accept. He has no option other than to respect us," he said.
Governor Samboja is at loggerheads with MCAs over 2019/20 budget with the legislators demanding to have Sh40 million devolved to every ward.
Since then, Samboja has stood his ground, threatening to have the county dissolved. He has reached out to President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga for help.
While speaking at Bughuta grounds in Voi on Sunday, Dr Ruto said the President will not dissolve the county assembly over what he termed as petty issues that could be resolved amicably, adding that the impasse had derailed development in the county.
“We cannot dissolve the county government because of differences between leaders. That is nonsense,” he said.
The county boss asked Ruto to steer clear of the stalemate, arguing that he has no obligation in the region when it comes to matters governance.