Kericho Governor Erick Mutai and his deputy Fred Kirui exchanged words openly during Thursday's Madaraka Day celebrations.
A visibly furious Governor Mutai chastised his deputy on what he called 'petty' politics after the latter complained in his address about disrespect and a lack of necessary resources to allow him to travel the county.
"Going around the world discussing some issues will not help us or bring food to the table." "What we can do for these people is what brings food on the table," Mutai told his deputy to applause from the audience.
"We may have internal issues, but the best way to resolve them is to discuss them at the office." Let us mature and rise above petty politics."
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A heated argument occurred after DG Kirui chastised the county leadership for failing to provide appropriate fuel, disclosing that he had to go into his pocket to fill his vehicle.
The DG also noted a pre-election agreement between the two that resulted in him standing down in favour of Mutai, urging the Governor to respect him.
"The Governor is here, and he knows what we discussed while I ran for Governor until I dropped down and joined him...He is the Governor, and I am his deputy." he said to mixed reactions from the crowd.
"Mimi niko tu hapo nikiwa nimeketi, kuenda kule Itare, nilienda na mafuta yangu..."I want to work for the people."
"As I stand here, there are people who supported me and those who supported the Governor," he added. We should all work together to form a coalition government, kwa sababu hii ni serikali inaitwa coalition government. There must be something called respect in a coalition administration; I respect the Governor...Please respect me, Governor, na maneno mingi itaisha, staki maneno mingi."
In response, the county executive laughed at his deputy's remarks, saying he should not have publicly brought up such matters.
Mutai dismissed Kirui's assertion that he was not provided with fuel, pointing out that the latter had two vehicles compared to him, who owned one.
As a result, he proposed that the county consider purchasing another automobile for the deputy and increasing his gasoline allotment.
"The county government is larger than I, the deputy governor, or anyone else." Any deal reached by politicians remains a political accord. "The most important agreement is with the people," he urged.
"Nilikwambia kazi yako, you are the deputy governor; chair the sub-county committees." You have two cars, yours and an escort car, whereas I just have one. We may increase to three and assist your office with whatever you require."
