Elgeyo Marakwet's top two leaders clashed in public on Sunday. Governor Wisley Rotich and his deputy, Grace Cheserek, fought over speaking time at an empowerment forum in Kapyego, Pulse Live Kenya reported.
According to Pulse Live Kenya, Rotich looked irritated by the length of Cheserek's speech. He cut her off several times and told her to leave the podium. He was heard calling her behaviour childish. He also said she was doing a lot of talking but had not contributed any money.
Cheserek refused to back down. She said she had the right to address the crowd and finish her remarks. "Please let me finish my speech, Governor. You did not bring me here. I will continue speaking, and I will say it all," she replied.
In her speech, she attacked the county government's record. She accused Rotich's administration of neglecting essential services, especially health and education. She also said it focused more on distributing handouts to win support than on lasting solutions for residents.
The row escalated as her speech drew to a close. According to Pulse Live Kenya, Rotich told his security team to remove her from the podium. Videos shared widely online showed Cheserek trying to grab the governor's microphone, Kenyans.co.ke reported. One of his security officers then stepped in and led her away.
The crowd was split. Some people cheered Rotich and brushed off Cheserek's criticism, Pulse Live Kenya reported.
The two have clashed in public before over recognition and their roles in running the county. On August 1, they quarrelled at the launch of the translated Marakwet Bible in Tot, Marakwet East. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen attended that event.
At that ceremony, Rotich introduced his county executive and other officials, then invited Kericho Governor Eric Mutai to speak. He did not acknowledge Cheserek. She stood up, took the microphone and demanded to be recognised. She also told Rotich to stop undermining her in public. Neither leader's response to Sunday's clash has been reported.