The usually reserved politician said he had faced unnecessary provocation from Ruto’s administration over the past year, citing unfulfilled promises, insults, the abduction of a key staff member and the forceful occupation of his family’s property.

The supremacy contest over who controls the Rift Valley politically is far from over, after KANU Party chairperson Gideon Moi announced his intention to wrest control of the vote-rich region from President William Ruto.

Moi has spoken for the first time about his failed political truce with Ruto, apologising to residents of Baringo County for stepping aside in last year’s Senate by-election.