Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wesley Rotich has condemned opposition leaders who are allegedly using the tragic death of Albert Ojwang to push political agendas and incite ethnic profiling. Speaking during a funeral in Riwo village, Baringo County, Rotich described the move as unfortunate and dangerous.
Ojwang, whose recent murder shocked the nation, has become the subject of political discourse, with some leaders reportedly exploiting the incident to rally public sentiment against specific communities. Governor Rotich criticized these actions, warning that politicizing the tragedy risks inflaming tensions and undermining national unity.
“The matter is already under investigation, and arrests have been made,” Rotich said. “We must allow the relevant authorities to complete their work and uncover the truth behind Ojwang’s death. Using this tragedy to incite people or score political points is irresponsible.”
Rotich urged leaders across the political divide to respect the investigative process and refrain from rhetoric that could destabilize the peace currently enjoyed in many parts of the country. He emphasized that communities in volatile areas such as the Kerio Valley understand the devastating effects of insecurity and should not be dragged back into cycles of violence.
“We as a community will not be drawn into cheap political theatrics. We have moved past violence. Those trying to pull us back will be disappointed,” he stated.
The governor made the remarks during the burial of local farmer Mark Rono, where he took the opportunity to remind Kenyans of the value of peace. “Many people take peace for granted until it’s lost. Those of us from regions plagued by insecurity know the fear of gunshots and the pain of conflict,” Rotich said.
He urged citizens to remain vigilant and not allow political narratives to divide them along ethnic or regional lines. His call comes amid rising concerns about politically motivated incitement ahead of upcoming political events and national discourse.
Rotich’s message was clear: peace must be preserved at all costs, and tragedy should not be used as a tool for political manipulation.
