SIGOR, Kenya – President William Ruto was forced to cut short a development meeting in Sigor, West Pokot County, on Friday after rival groups disrupted the gathering, throwing stones, soil and water bottles at leaders and sending attendees fleeing for safety.
The chaos erupted as Ruto addressed residents from atop his vehicle. As tensions escalated, the President came down, and the meeting was brought to an abrupt end before several leaders could address the crowd.
The disruption intensified when local leaders were invited to speak, with Governor Simon Kachapin, Senator Julius Murgor, Woman Representative Rael Kasiwai and Sigor MP Peter Lochakapong facing heckling from sections of the crowd.
Pkosing’s Address Triggers Fresh Chaos
The situation worsened when Pokot South MP David Pkosing, who is eyeing the West Pokot gubernatorial seat, was invited to address the gathering.
Some attendees reportedly hurled stones, soil and water bottles towards him, forcing him to cut short his remarks as rival groups continued disrupting the meeting.
The escalating disorder left leaders and members of the public leaving the venue amid concerns for their safety, bringing the presidential development meeting to an early end.
Overnight Clashes Reportedly Leave One Dead
The incident came amid heightened political tensions in Sigor, where groups reportedly associated with Lochakapong and Pkosing were said to have clashed overnight and early Friday ahead of the President’s arrival.
The clashes allegedly left one person dead and several others critically injured. However, the circumstances surrounding the reported death and injuries had not been fully established.
The reported violence added to concerns over political rivalry and security during public gatherings in West Pokot County.
Political Rivalry Overshadows Ruto’s Tour
The disruption overshadowed Ruto’s development tour of Sigor, highlighting tensions among local political leaders as competition for elective positions intensifies ahead of the 2027 General Election.
With Pkosing seeking the county’s gubernatorial seat, the incident has drawn attention to the growing political rivalry in the region and the potential security risks surrounding public meetings.
The reported death and injuries, as well as the circumstances that led to the clashes, remained subject to further confirmation.
