- One year after their widely publicised rapprochement in October last year, Moi broke his silence on the renewed political differences between him and Ruto.
- Moi said he had sought commitments on development projects for Baringo residents rather than personal benefits.
KANU Chairman Gideon Moi has accused President William Ruto of
failing to honour an agreement reached between them last year, saying the
dispute has strained relations between the two leaders.
Speaking during a meeting with Kalenjin elders at his Kabarak
home in Nakuru County on Friday, Moi outlined what he described as the terms of
the agreement that led him to step aside in the Baringo senatorial by-election
late last year.
One year after their widely publicised rapprochement in
October last year, Moi broke his silence on the renewed political differences
between him and Ruto.
Moi said he had sought commitments on development projects for
Baringo residents rather than personal benefits.
“In everything, I didn’t ask for a personal thing. I want
this, I want this business… no. I asked for specific things for the people of
Baringo that I had not accomplished,” he said.
Moi, who spoke in his Kalenjin dialect, said relations began
deteriorating following the death of former Prime Minister leader Raila Odinga,
claiming that a promised resolution to their agreement was repeatedly delayed.
“Raila’s death came up… he told me, ‘Wait for some time, we
finish this matter.’ I waited and waited until now,” Moi noted.
The former Baringo Senator accused Ruto of failing to complete
development projects in the county, which he said had formed part of their
agreement.
Moi also dismissed claims by the President that he was using
the Standard Group media house to settle political scores, insisting that the
accusations were a distraction from the agreement.
“For me, this is pedestrian talk. Side shows. Implement what
the agreement was. He said, ‘Gideon this, Gideon this. The sponsor of these
people is Gideon.’ Do I look like a journalist, that I am writing the headlines
at night?” Posed Moi.
Moi also apologised to his community, describing his decision
to work with Ruto as a misstep and asking Kalenjin elders to forgive him as he
considers his next political move.
“Please forgive me… my Kalenjin people, I did what I did with
a clean heart,” stated Moi.
The remarks come months after Ruto publicly accused Moi of
sponsoring opposition activities, including through newspaper headlines that
the President said were aimed at undermining his administration.
“Kama si hizo headlines za Gideon Moi za Standard, hakuna
mahali mngekuwa,” Ruto stated then.