Mr Kiter and Gideon Moi have always been said to be buddies ever since Gideon publicly declared that he and Keter were inseparable. “While Keter is a friend to the deputy president during the day, he is my associate at night. Do not bother questioning about where his loyalty lies”-Gideon Moi
Former Devolution Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter might remain in political oblivion for years following fresh revelations that he has always enjoyed very close ties with former Baringo Senator Gideon Moi.
Mr Keter was surprisingly trounced in the UDA party nominations a few months before the last general election in a contest many expected him to win. He has since kept a low profile after President William Ruto left him out of his cabinet. Those who have been keenly following Keter’s political moves in the run-up to the last general elections claim that he had one foot in the UDA party and the other one in Kanu.
Mr Kiter and Gideon Moi have always been said to be buddies ever since Gideon publicly declared that he and Keter were inseparable. Gideon was quoted saying “While Keter is a friend to the deputy president during the day, he is my associate at night. Do not bother questioning about where his loyalty lies.”
It is also claimed that close President Ruto’s handlers have in the past doubted Keter’s loyalty to the preside because when former president Uhuru Kenyatta was humiliating Ruto in public, he never uttered a word in defence of the then DP, he kept of the UhuRuto power games.
Again, it is said, he only resigned at the eleventh hour as Cabinet Secretary to vie for the Kericho gubernatorial seat. He was therefore being considered as a Jonnie Come Late to the party. Upon resignation, Keter declared interest in the Kericho County Gubernatorial seat and hit the campaign trail. He did not however have goodwill from Ruto and his inner circle.
Despite the dawn to dusk campaign rallies across Bureti, Ainamoi, Belgut, Soin Sigowet, Kipkelion West and Kipkelion East constituencies, the former Belgut legislator put up a poor show during the UDA party nominations in which Dr Eric Mutai garnered 126,038 votes, Mr Keter polled 60,342, Deputy Governor Lily Ngok had 9,377 while Prof James Sang got 2,987 votes.
The former CS was put on his defence during campaigns for party nominations with claims that he was the owner of tea plucking machines used by the multinational tea companies which have resulted in the laying off of more than 20,000 workers in the South Rift region.
As things stand now, Ruto’s handlers are not keen on having Keter get any state job as he is still suspected to have divided loyalty.
