President William Ruto has condemned the public heckling of Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok during his visit to the devolved unit on Saturday.

The President, while addressing a rally, called for order and restraint as he lectured the residents for booing the county boss in his presence.

Trouble started when the Head of State gave a go-ahead to Governor Barchok to address the crowd, but the residents were having none of it and instead shouted the county chief down.

President Ruto then stepped in, attempting to calm the unruly residents who continued their heckling, urging them to be patient and utilize their power at the ballot during the next election in a bid to hold non-performing leaders accountable.

“Mimi nataka niwaambie hivi…kulete mambo hii kwa mkutano mimi staki…nyinyi ndio mnapanga MCA, MP, Senator, ata huyu Governor...Nataka mtulie na mkuwe watu wa kusoma barua ikiwa ndani ya bahasha,” he said.

“Kama kuna mtu ambaye hajafanya kazi, mngojeeni siku ya uchaguzi mtamalizana na yeye. Lakini kwa sasa, tuko na mkutano, wacheni aongee.”

The incident follows a similar action just a day earlier by Kericho residents where they booed Governor Dr. Erick Mutai.

President Ruto was forced to intervene as he called for tolerance to allow the Governor to address the crowd.