Jubilee leaders express confidence of winning Kericho senatorial seat in by-election

Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter shares a word with Aaron Cheruiyot the Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) candidate in the Kericho senatorial race. Keter threw his weight behind Cheruiyot in the by-election to be held on March 7

Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter, Ainamoi Member of Parliament Benjamin Langat and the Kericho Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) campaign committee chairman have expressed confidence that the party would clinch the Kericho senatorial seat.

Speaking separately, Keter and Langat argued that the area was a jubilee zone and therefore other political parties do not have realistic chance of snatching the seat from the JAP's candidate Arron Cheruiyot in the March 7 by-election.

"We have begun holding strategic meeting with different groups of people and soon the only tune which will be heard across the country would be the Jubilee song. We would not leave anything to chance this campaign," said Langat.

He challenged Paul Sang (Kanu) and Bishop Daniel Tanui (NVP) not to resort to launching wild claims over the impending by-election but to concentrate on endearing themselves to the electorate.

"Our political rivals have resorted to whipping out the emotions of the people by going around claiming that the government plans to rig the election in favour of its candidate. Those are outright lies. Jubilee aims at winning the Kericho senatorial seat in a plain and square way," said Langat.

Keter argued that as a resident and the immediate former senator, he wouldn't shy away from playing a key role in the county's politics.

"It's the Jubilee government which gave me the position of being a Cabinet Sectary and as a result a by-election has to be held. I have all the rights to campaign for the Jubilee candidate in the race Aaron Cheruiyot. The individuals who are uncomfortable should keep in mind that I don't have any other home besides Kericho," said Keter.

Keter's political shadow still hangs over the county and remains a kingpin whose political opinion and strategy is still highly sought.

The CS added that all the six Members of Parliament (MPs) from the area and Members of County Assembly (MCAs) had reaffirmed their pledge that they would support the Jubilee candidate.

"We are continuing to work as a team to ensure that Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) retains the Kericho senatorial seat. We have assigned ourselves various responsibilities in the campaign to support our candidate Cheruiyot. The campaign will be very vibrant and we are going to campaign in every village and ward," said Keter.

He also refuted claims that the government was allegedly undertaking secret registration of voters allegedly in preparation of rigging the March 7 by-election in favour of Cheruiyot.

"Jubilee isn't the body which is going to provide the voters register but the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). We are going to scrutinise it too and wouldn't allow an illegitimate voters register to be used," said Keter.