Governor Ruto ally in huge win against JAP man in by-election

A candidate allied to Bomet County Governor Isaac Ruto has won with a wide margin in the hotly-contested Nyangores Ward by-election.

By the time of going to press, People’s Patriotic Party of Kenya’s (PPPK) Andrew Maritim had taken a strong early lead trailed by Jubilee Alliance Party’s (JAP) candidate Richard Leitich.

With results from only one polling station remaining, Maritim had garnered 4,726 votes against JAP candidate Leitich’s 2,480. There are 30 polling stations in the ward.

Governor Ruto’s and Kanu supporters whose leaders had campaigned for the PPPK candidate took to the streets to celebrate when news reached the town that their candidate had clinched the seat.

“We have shown the party belonging to President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto that Bomet can make independent decisions despite the fact that they brought 24 MPs to campaign for their candidate,” said Governor Ruto.

In neighbouring Kericho where the Senate by-election will take place next month, Kanu supporters also expressed optimism that their candidate Paul Sang will carry the day.

Governor Ruto who looked elated with his candidate’s victory, was accompanied by cheering supporters when he arrived at the counting hall with Maritim and Kuresoi MP Zakayo Cheruiyot at 8.30pm shortly before the final result was announced.

The Nyangores Ward seat fell vacant following MCA Cecilia Towett’s death in a road accident in Narok County in October 2015.

IEBC South Rift Regional Coordinator Japhet Yegon said the polling centres were opened at exactly 6.00am attracting long queues of voters. According to the IEBC, the ward has a total of 11,312 register voters.

The two front runners — Leitich and Maritim voted at Nyambugo and Chebirir Primary Schools respectively.

The PPP-K candidate received a boost after Baringo Senator and Kanu Chairman Gideon Moi alongside Zipporah Kittony (nominated senator), Prof John Lonyangapuo (West Pokot) among other leaders supported his candidature.

According to the leaders the by-election could mark the beginning of a new political era saying transformative leadership is what the community deserves.

“There is need to chart a new political path and with the looming merger we will not have a strong bargaining power as a community,” Gideon said.

Senator Gideon said the community should use the two mini polls in the South Rift to send a message to the government that the community is not up for grabs by the highest bidder.