Editor's Review

Rift Valley legislators have formed a committee that will spearhead economic and political negotiations with Deputy President William Ruto.

Lawmakers from Rift Valley have constituted a committee that will traverse the region, collecting views of Kenyans ahead of negotiations with Deputy President William Ruto.

At least 70 legislators met today at the Maasai Lodge in Kajiado County where they formed the committee comprising 14 members and is expected to draft an economic nd political agenda for the region ahead of the 2022 general elections.

The leader will then meet DP Ruto in two weeks to kick off negotiations.

The leaders included five governors from the Rift who stated that they will hold grassroot meetings with locals before the meeting with the DP.

"We don't want to assume that Ruto coming from Rift Valley and being in government he understands the needs of Rift Valley region," Turkana Governor Josephat Nanok stated.

He noted that despite being the DP's home region, Rift Valley too will push to hold broad based negotiations with the DP, following in the footsteps of Coast and Mount Kenya regions.

"Ruto must tell us how he is going to solve the issues we shall be raising, if he will offer no convincing plan, then he would better allow us to look elsewhere," he said.

Nanok mentioned conservation, agriculture, infrastructure as some of the issues they are looking to engage the DP on.

"We must start by ensuring that we have concrete issues that we shall negotiate for our people in this government and beyond 2022," he said.

Other governors present included Nandi's Stephen Sang, Bomet's Hillary Barchok, Uasin Gishu's Jackson Mandago and Baringo's Stanley Kiptis.