A public fallout between Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich and his deputy, Prof Grace Cheserek, has erupted once again, marking the second public clash in less than four months. The incident occurred during an empowerment event in Kapyego, where Cheserek was jeered and forced to cut short her speech when she attempted to grab the governor's microphone.
The tension between the two leaders has been escalating, with Cheserek announcing last Saturday that she would not be Rotich's running mate in the 2027 General Election. This move has further strained their already frosty relationship. Rotich had previously asked locals in Marakwet West sub-county to help him identify a suitable running mate, citing the worsening relationship with Cheserek.
The public clash in Kapyego turned heated when Rotich told Cheserek to "go sit down and stop being childish," and accused her of trying to ruin the event. Cheserek was heard saying, "I will continue to speak out. I will say everything," in a video clip that went viral on social media. This incident comes after a similar clash three months ago during an empowerment event in Tot, Marakwet East.
The friction between the leaders came to light three months ago when Cheserek lamented about what she termed as a casual introduction by her boss. She warned that she should not be demeaned, while Rotich claimed he had not reached the level to introduce her properly. Cheserek has since described the friction as a tragedy, claiming she has been neglected and her office undermined by Rotich and county executives.
Cheserek has expressed frustration that her efforts to secure authority to rein in errant and underperforming county officials have been frustrated. She wants Rotich to give her space to assist him in cracking the whip on underperforming county executive committee members and identify projects that have not been done to the expected standard.
The fallout between the two leaders has been exacerbated by a decision to change the venue of this year's Mashujaa Day celebrations from Kamariny to Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret. Cheserek had declared her support for the planned parallel Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kamariny, while Rotich called for respect for the President's decision to hold the event in Uasin Gishu.
Cheserek has apologized to Elgeyo Marakwet residents for the sudden change in venue for the Mashujaa Day national celebrations, saying it saddens them. She suggested that governors with frosty relationships with their deputies should undergo management courses at the Kenya School of Government, arguing that it is a social problem that requires education.
Key points
- Governor Rotich and Deputy Cheserek's public fallout is a result of escalating tension between the two leaders.
- Cheserek has announced she will not be Rotich's running mate in the 2027 General Election.
- The friction between the leaders has been attributed to issues of neglect and undermining of Cheserek's office by Rotich and county executives.
