Water or airstrip? Kericho warring MCAs take to the streets

Business in Kericho town was brought to a standstill on Monday after two MCA groups took to the streets over the proposed reconstruction of the Kerenga airstrip that has split the county leadership.

One section, led by Kericho county MCAs is in support of the upgrade, while the other by those against it.

Those in support of the upgrade headed to the airstrip where they slashed the grass, an indication of the start of construction.

Members of the rival group, on the other hand, were seen carrying empty water buckets while continuously chanting, “tunataka maji, hatutaki ndege.” (We want water, we do not want an airplane.)

This was the second time Kericho county MCAs were disagreeing over the issue of the Kerenga airstrip upgrade.

Last week, the legislators came to blows as a section of them claimed the funds should have been diverted to other pressing matters such as construction of roads and schools instead of the airstrip.

“During the campaign period, residents told us that they wanted water, roads, schools, teachers… they did not tell us they wanted an airport. We are therefore only demanding for what we promised our residents,” said Ainamoi MCA Bett Cheruiyot during the January 15 incident.