Turbo constituency in Uasin Gishu County witnessed a dramatic political showdown when area MP Janet Sitienei confronted President William Ruto’s longtime aide, Farouk Teigut Kibet, over what she termed as an unfair claim of school projects under her office.
The usually reserved MP did not hold back as she accused Kibet of commissioning and taking credit for projects implemented by the Ministry of Education through her office. The confrontation, which has sparked debate among political circles, saw Sitienei deliver a fiery statement, warning Kibet to stay in his lane and respect her position as an elected leader.
“We have all been given an opportunity to serve the people of Kenya, and we all know what the code of regulation says. Everyone has the responsibility to serve our people, but there has to be respect. People should not take humility as a weakness. Kila mtu achukue lane yake afanye kazi yake. Tukitaka kumsaidia rais, kila mtu achukue nafasi yake kufanya kazi yake,” she stated.
Sitienei emphasized that as the elected MP for Turbo, she deserves respect and recognition for her work, reminding Kibet that they are all serving under President Ruto’s administration. She criticized the tendency of individuals seeking political mileage by personalizing government-funded projects instead of acknowledging the role of elected leaders and the institutions responsible for their implementation.
“Tulichaguliwa na hawa watu. I was elected by more than 50,000 people of Turbo, and when the time for politics comes, we will do politics. For now, let’s work for the people. When people identify themselves with projects as personal, that is not good. Those projects are all from our president and the government but through the office of the MP,” she added.
The MP’s bold stand has sparked mixed reactions, with some residents supporting her assertion that elected leaders should be given due credit for their efforts, while others argue that development projects should be a collective effort regardless of who claims ownership.
The altercation underscores the political tensions within Uasin Gishu, a region considered one of President Ruto’s strongholds. With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, such disputes highlight the internal power struggles within the ruling party and among leaders in the region. Whether this confrontation will escalate or lead to a reconciliation remains to be seen, but it is clear that Sitienei has drawn the line in defending her mandate as Turbo’s representative.