'We're also Kenyans': Senator Cheruiyot defends appointment of Kalenjins to Gov't

Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot has come out to dismiss allegations of favouritism by the Kenya Kwanza government in its public appointments of the Kalenjin community members.

Senator Cheruiyot, during an address on Friday, told off the perceived critics saying the Kalenjin community deserves the positions they are getting from the President William Ruto-led administration.

He stated that the appointments which have recently become a subject of debate and controversy among Kenyans, were timely since the former administration allegedly discriminated against the community.

“Nowadays it has become as if it is a crime for any Kalenjin to be appointed to a public institution. I want everybody to know that Kalenjins are also Kenyans…we have not arrived from Rwanda or Tanzania, so that when you’re appointed to a public office it becomes news; we are equal stakeholders in this country,” he said.

“The truth of the matter is that the last administration fired our people like sacks of maize…ulikuwa unatumwa hapa asubuhi, saa sita umefukuzwa.”

He added: “How is it a crime when we equally get our share when we are taxpayers like the rest of the country? The fact that sisi sio watu wa kulialia na kupiga kelele, does not mean that we are satisfied.”

Citing the performance of athletes who hail from the region and who have in the past years kept the country on the global map, the lawmaker boasted that the decision by the President to award positions to his tribesmen was commendable.

He, therefore, dismissed claims of tribalism and nepotism in the appointments, urging the Head of State to not be cowed by public complaints.

“We have also made our contribution to this country; for Kenya to be known internationally, it is because of the work of greater athletes who come from this region. Sasa kama tumeeka bendera ya Kenya juu, jameni kuna makosa gani tukipewa kazi katika nchi hii?” He posed.

“I want to tell President Ruto that we are also Kenyans and we deserve our equal share of government just like the rest of the country. Wale ambao wanaleta fitina, shauri yenu.”

The remarks by the Senate Majority Leader follow uproar by the public over State appointments in the last few months.

A section of the public, mostly drawn from the opposition faction, has constnatly questioned the criteria of nominations with some saying they are tribal owing to the fact that President Ruto comes from the Kalenjin community.