Campaigns for Kericho seat in top gear

Jubilee senators yesterday held campaign rallies to drum up support for their Kericho by-election candidate Aaron Cheruiyot.

Speaking at Sondu trading centre in Soin Sigowet constituency during the campaign for Cheruiyot, Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki asked Kanu leadership to declare whether the party was still part of the Jubilee coalition.

"There are only two strong coalitions in the country- the Jubilee coalition and the Cord coalition. Jubilee coalition has but only one candidate for the Kericho senate race. There is democracy in the country and Kanu leadership should tell us whether they are with us or not," he said.

Mr Cheruiyot said if elected he would play his oversight role against Governor Paul Chepkwony administration without fear or favour.

"There is no reason why an urban centre such as Sondu which leads in revenue allocation doesn't boast of street lighting programme, lacks clean piped water and is littered with piles of garbage. These are some of the concerns I will ensure are immediately addressed," said the Jubilee Alliance Party candidate.

ELgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen was confident that Jubilee would retain the seat which fell vacant after Charles Keter resigned after he was appointed Energy Cabinet Secretary.

"It is for this reason... Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga confessed to me... that the opposition party did not field a candidate to challenge the Jubilee Alliance Party," he said.

Kanu candidate Paul Sang took his campaigns to Kipkeleon West where he held rallies alongside Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto and MPs Alfred Keter (Nandi Hills), Johanna Ngeno (Emurua Dikirr) and Oscar Sudi (Kapseret).

But the Kanu brigade warned Jubilee that they would bring it to its knees in the 2017 General Election if it does not change tack and respond to Kenyans' needs. Sang said he was the best bet because he has more political experience.