Bomet residents accuse Ruto of neglecting Rift Valley region after his ‘weak link' remarks on IEBC numbers

A section of residents in Bomet County has voiced reactions to remarks by President William Ruto, in which he described members of his community as a weak link in his re-election bid due to low voter registration.

The remarks were made during the burial of the father of Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir.

Residents attributed the apparent voter apathy to what they termed as uneven development, arguing that the region has lagged behind compared to other parts of the country.

They also faulted local leaders, accusing them of failing to relay the realities on the ground to the President.

“Ni kweli wananchi hawaoni faida ya kupiga kura kama ulivyosema kwa sababu hakuna project umeleta sehemu hii kama ulivyoahidi. Rais lazima tuambiane ukweli, hatuoni kazi yako hapa Rift Valley. Watu hawataki uongo. Mambo sio rahisi na hata Rais mwenyewe ameona,” said a resident, Ambrose Kimutai.

“Ma Gen Z hawaoni haja ya kukata kura. Ukiona wanasema one term ni kwa sababu hawajaona faida. Barabara ya Olenguruone imejaa potholes. Rais wewe sio mbaya unaenda kwa majirani kuomba kura lakini hapa nyumbani watu wanakuangusha. Ukimwambia mtu akate kura hawaoni maendeleo ni kama umepea kuku mayai ya hewa na utarajie aangue vifaranga,” said another Benard Cheruyot.

“Watu saa hii hawaoni haja ya kupiga kura kulingana na maendeleo. William kuja ground, umeenda maeneo mengi hapa mambo ni mbaya,” added Wesley Koskei.

Another Granton Kipngetich said, “Rais hana shida, ni viongozi wa hapa hawamwambii ukweli,” said 

“Ni kama Rais aliongea ukweli kidogo. Maendeleo Bomet huwezi amini uko town,” added Nicholas Kipng'eno.

The residents now want leaders to address development concerns, warning that continued dissatisfaction could affect voter turnout in future elections.

President Ruto on Thursday expressed disappointment over the low voter registration numbers from his Rift Valley stronghold and the Kalenjin community following the recently concluded the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) exercise.

He revealed that 1.8 million eligible voters with IDs have not registered, alongside another 500,000 youth who recently turned 18.

The President termed it a heavy political burden to seek support elsewhere while his own stronghold lags behind, urging residents to register in large numbers and secure his second-term bid in 2027.

“We have 1.8 million Kalenjins here who have IDs but have not registered. Another 500,000 aged 18 have also not registered,” he said.

“You’re giving me a tough job, struggling to seek support elsewhere while I have people back home. No, it shouldn’t be like this.”