Kericho Members of County Assembly elected new leaders on Thursday following intervention by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The DP convened a meeting with the MCAs at his office in Harambee Annex where the ward representatives agreed to cease hostilities and work together for the benefit of residents.
Gachagua said he had been tasked by President William Ruto to find a way out of the leadership deadlock that had threatened to derail development programmes in the county.
The MCAs agreed to unite and support the newly elected leaders who have been tasked with refocusing the assembly on serving the people after months characterized by disputes over leadership positions.
Kimasian Ward MCA Philip Rono was elected Majority Leader and will be deputised by Fancy Chepkorir Korir (Nominated). The Majority Whip is Seretut- Cheptororiet MCA Aaron Rotich with Bervina Serem (Nominated) as his deputy.
“It is the President’s position that no meaningful development can take place in the atmosphere that exists in Kericho. The President tasked me with the responsibility of inviting the leadership of the county for a meeting to sort out the issues with a view of restoring normalcy,” said the DP.
The outstanding issues that had escalated the conflict in the Assembly were thrashed out during the Thursday morning meeting before the MCAs unanimously agreed to choose their leaders.
“The leaders have unanimously agreed that we amicably resolve all the issues and restore peace and normalcy in Kericho. During the meeting the leadership issues were resolved to the satisfaction of every member,” the DP said after the meeting.
All the 47 MCAs were present. They were joined by Kericho Governor Eric Mutai, Senator Aaron Cheruiyot (also Senate Majority Leader), Woman Representative Beatrice Kemei and Assembly Speaker Patrick Mutai.
United Democratic Alliance Secretary General Senator Veronica Maina attended the meeting.
Last Sunday, the President reprimanded the MCAs for escalating disputes around leadership positions asking them to focus on serving the people instead of fighting for assembly roles.
During the Thursday meeting, the representatives who have been previously aggrieved over the positions agreed to drop the cases in court and support the elected leaders.
Further, the DP said Kericho was crucial to the government’s development agenda, asking the MCAs to maintain the unity they had forged to make it easier for them to work with the national administration.
“We want to come to the ground and initiate development programmes together with you,” he added.
The newly elected Majority Leader promised to steer the assembly fairly.
The DP also said an amicable solution to the impasse in Meru was being finalised.
Mr Gachagua has met Governor Kawira Mwangaza, Senator Murungi Kathuri, area MPs and MCAs as he sought to restore normalcy in the county following protracted disagreements among the leaders.
“All of them are unanimous that we must seek peace and stability in Meru,” the DP stated.
