Kericho Governor Erick Mutai and his deputy, Eng Fredrick Kirui . [File Courtesy]
Kericho Governor Dr Erick Mutai has challenged his deputy, Eng Fred Kirui, to a political duel in the 2027 General Election, declaring their political marriage over and naming Finance executive Jackson Rop as his preferred running mate.
The latest verbal war between the two leaders played out at Chilchila in Kipkelion West, where they separately addressed residents during a public function attended by Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen. The occasion turned political as Kirui accused Mutai of sidelining and mistreating him, reviving the long-running dispute between the two leaders.
“You mistreated me. That is an issue we will soon revisit. Let me tell you something, the politics of Kericho is shaped by the people of Kipkelion West. You have heard them say here that they will vote out the area Member of Parliament. When they declare something, they mean it,” Kirui said.
When members of the crowd shouted that they would vote both Mutai and Kirui out of office, the deputy governor appeared unfazed.
“That is fine with me. You can as well vote us out. In fact, that is what I want,” Kirui said.
The exchange came shortly after Mutai declared that the political partnership between him and his deputy had collapsed, challenging Kirui to chart his own political course ahead of the 2027 elections.
“I want to tell the deputy governor he is free. In the next six months, he should chart his own political lane and leave me to chart my own direction. Let us battle it out in the next General Election and see who will be the winner,” Mutai said.