Police have arrested two hecklers in Bomet believed to be part of the youth that shouted down a governor during President William Ruto’s event in the County.
Bomet County Commissioner Ahmed Omar confirmed the arrest saying that more suspects are yet to be nabbed.
The arrest came after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Sunday directed that those who heckled during political events be arrested and charged as a move to rein in disorder during such meetings.
“It doesn’t matter whether the organizers or sponsors are pro or anti-government. We will crush them equally. Nobody is above the law,” Kindiki said while on a tour of Trans Nzoia on Monday.
President Ruto had toured the Bomet county to launch and commission development projects in three constituencies.
Political rivalries pitting local leaders played out during Ruto’s tour in the County on Saturday 16 March as rowdy youth shouted down Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok.
Barchok had started speaking highly of the achievements of his administration when the hecklers took on him.
The President was caught up in the political drama forcing him to step in and address the situation.
“I do not want this kind of chaos in my meetings. Allow the leaders to make their speeches and if they have not performed, wait and deal with them in the next general election by voting them out,” President Ruto said at Kapkesosio Trading Centre in Chepalungu.
Also Read: Gachagua Warns Rift Valley Residents After Bomet Heckling
Hecklers in Bomet
Ruto expressed his dismay, stating that he felt ashamed that whenever he visited the county, his presence became a platform for settling local political disputes.
“This local political contest during my visits in Bomet is foolish and must stop. It is time to roll out development and political competition must wait for the next elections.”
Throughout the tour, supporters of both Governor Hillary Barchok and Senator Hillary Sigei clashed.
Ruto however criticized their actions as “unwise” and emphasized the responsibility of elected leaders to prioritize the interests of their constituents.
“Let somebody not tell us about his prominence. You cannot dictate residents to applaud you as they heckle another. If you are a wise leader, you should be focusing on building of roads among other development agenda,” Ruto said.
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Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also condemned the incident and warned Kalenjin community and the Rift Valley against disrespecting President William Ruto.
Speaking in Nandi, on Sunday, March 17, the DP said he was very embarrassed when the president had to spend more 30 minutes trying to bring down tensions and political rivalry among leaders instead of focusing on development projects.
