A section of elected leaders from the Rift Valley region have dismissed claims made by another group of Kalenjin leaders who on November 18 called for Deputy President William Ruto to be probed over the maize scandal that has rocked the country.
Speaking in Eldoret, one day after the claims made by former Cherengany MP Joshua Kuttuny, Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter and Moiben MP Silas Tiren shocked the country, the different set of legislators led by Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, a staunch DP Ruto ally dismissed the three legislators as brokers and fell short of saying that they are being bankrolled by Baringo Senator Gideon Moi to taint the DP’s name.
On November 16, Tiren was among a group of leaders who accompanied Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka as he paid a courtesy call to retired president Daniel Arap Moi at his home in Kabarak.
Also at the meeting were Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr, Tiaty MP William Kamket, Kajiado Central MP Elijah Memusi, Kalonzo’s son Kennedy Musyoka among other leaders.
I thank God for President Daniel arap Moi's good health. I am happy we visited him today and discussed a lot on current affairs, shared a meal and prayed together. Mzee Moi blessed me as I join other leaders to pursue peace in the country, the region and the world. pic.twitter.com/P5G4QRZCoO
— Kalonzo Musyoka (@skmusyoka) November 16, 2018
“I want to categorically tell my friends Kuttuny, Keter and Tiren that there is no point for elected leaders to claim that they are voicing the farmers’ concerns while it is obvious they are in business. If there is a person who should contextualize the maize issue to Kenyans it is Silas Tiren. It is not lost on us that he only makes these claims after he is spotted in Kabarak,” said a tough talking Sudi.
Sudi also dismissed claims that the DP’s advice to farmers that they ought to diversify was meant to allow well-connected individuals benefit from maize payments at the expense of the toiling farmers.
READ: GOVERNORS SLAM ROTICH, KIUNJURI FOR NO-SHOW AT MAIZE CRISIS MEETING
“This broker style of politics is outdated. We know that they have received handouts of Ksh500, 000-Ksh1, 000,000 in order to inflame the passions of the farmers. They are now inciting the farmers that the government ought to buy a bag of maize at Ksh3, 600. We don’t have a problem if the maize is bought at Ksh4, 000 but we must be realistic and work for the good of the country,” said Sudi.
On Sunday, Keter, Kuttuny and Tiren accused the DP of failing to address challenges facing farmers in the country despite holding a powerful position in government which according to them, he ascended to after voters in the populous Rift Valley region voted for him almost to a man.
READ: CONCERN OVER QUALITY OF MAIZE IN NCPB SILOS
They also claimed that DP Ruto has a hand in corrupt dealings at the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).