Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos has clashed with ODM North Rift chairman Micah Kigen over who should lead Raila’s Azimio la Umoja campaigns in William Ruto’s backyard.
Kigen, who is eying Keiyo South parliamentary seat in the 2022 General Election, has accused the second-term governor of single-handedly running Azimio la Umoja activities in the region perceived to be William Ruto’s turf.
In an interview with the People Daily on Sunday, December 19, the veteran ODM member called out Tolgos over his active roles in popularizing the ODM leader in the Northern Rift urging him to respect other party members.
“He should not take advantage of his governorship. How can one person call the shots? ODM is gaining popularity in the region but it should not be a one-man show,” Kigen said.
But Tolgos, who held a prominent role in organizing the Azimio la Umoja event in Eldoret in October 2021, dismissed Kigen’s remarks stating that he had worked with everyone interested in drumming up support for President Uhuru Kenyatta’s handshake partner.
The governor, a former fierce defender of William Ruto said the remarks by the ODM North Rift chairman are just but meant to tarnish his reputation.
“You cannot tell someone you should not support Baba this way or that. I have decided to support him and will do so fully. I do not really want to engage with him because he is politically immature and a distraction to our Azimio programs,” he said.
On Friday, December 10, the former Prime Minister announced that he will be giving his fifth stab at the presidency in next year’s General Election setting the stage for an epic battle with William Ruto.
Raila who has fallen out with One Kenya Alliance principals Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), and Moses Wetang’ula (Ford Kenya) has been courting governors from across the country to support his presidential bid.
