Bitok's 2027 governor Bid stirs debate as Uasin Gishu political battle hots up

Tourism Principal Secretary Julius Bitok unsuccessfully vied for Uasin Gishu governorship in the 2013 and 2022 elections. [Collins Oduor, Standard]

Tourism Principal Secretary Julius Bitok last year announced his bid for Uasin Gishu governorship in the 2027 General Election, raising questions.

Bitok, who lost to incumbent Governor Jonathan Bii in the 2022 United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party primaries, said he was ready for a political comeback. True to his words, the PS has been traversing the county in a bid to persuade locals to support him.

State officials including Principal Secretaries and Cabinet Secretaries not supposed to engage in politics. But Bitok, a former ambassador to Pakistan, chose to do the contrary.

 “You know that I came here recently to ask for your votes and things did not go as we expected and you asked me to wait,” he told residents in Ziwa.

He went on to say: "You asked me to wait, right? So, 2027 is coming.We are still saying lapkei tai,” (a Kalenjin saying that loosely translates to "the future is bright".

Prof Bitok said Ziwa residents were loyal and kept their word.

The PS during a funds drive, promised to donate Sh2 million to Chepkigen Primary. The event was spearheaded by Soy MP David Kiplagat.

He was accompanied by MPs Kiplagat (Soy), Musa Sirma (Eldama Ravine), Julius Ruto (Kesses) - leaders who have backed his gubernatorial bid.

“I want to thank the people of Ziwa for supporting President William Ruto’s government. And for supporting Ruto’s administration, I was given the mandate to lead the department of immigration and I am now in charge of (basic) education.

“I am here to meet the people of Ziwa; people who don’t backtrack after making a decision to support. I have come as the person in charge of education and because we are at Chepkigen Primary school, I am giving Sh2 million so that we advance education,” he said.

Bitok vied for Uasin Gishu governorship in 2013 but lost to Mandago.

But Governor Bii has warned his critics and leaders seeking to unseat him, including Bitok should be ready for a bruising political battle, saying it will be impossible for him to serve one term.

Governor Bii who enjoyed a overwhelming support during the 2022 elections, said those plotting to send him home in 2027 had no strong reasons.

“Those calling me one term have no reasons. When I came to office I employed ECDE teachers on permanent terms. I have introduced free milk in ECDE,” Bii said in a separate event.

He said former Governor Jackson Mandago, who is the county’s senator served two terms and he will not be denied a second term in office.

Bii claimed that politicians plotting to unseat him are Ruto’s silent critics, who are working closely with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

“How can you chase me away when most of the programmes are underway? Anyone who is singing one term is politically affiliated to Wamunyoro (the former Deputy President),” said Bii.

Bii has since criticized the PS for neglecting his duties and called for his removal from office. He said that the PS has been moving around campaigning for the governor seat.

Bitok’s decision to declare interst in the Uasin Gishu governorship has raised questions with a section of residents asking why a serving PS would not want to remain in the same powerful position after 2027.

Others questioned whether he believed in President Ruto, who appointed him to the PS position, securing a second term.

“Why are these people around the President thirsty for elective positions? They should help the President to secure a second term and then from there they join politics,” Frank Tarus wondered.

A section of locals described Bitok as a non-performer who had no muscle to win in the Uasin Gishu gubernatorial race.

“Our primary and secondary schools in Uasin Gishu are pathetic yet he is chest-thumping. We will elect leaders based on their performance in service delivery,” Joseph Munga reacted.

Others such as Alex Chumba said Bitok performed well at the Department of Immigration and deserved to be elected governor of Uasin Gishu.

“Hi did well at Immigration. He has my vote,” he said.

Kapseret MP Oscar has declared his support for Governor  Bii.

Soy MP David Kiplagat said Bitok can steer the affairs of Uasin Gishu because of his experience as an envoy and PS.

"When we elect a governor next year, let us choose someone who has knowledge and experience in planning. Others have appointed goons to serve in crucial positions in the county government instead of hiring professionals," the Soy lawmaker said.

Baringo North MP Joseph Makilap told Uasin Gishu residents during a thanksgiving at Kapkoi Primary School in Kesses last month not to "crucify" Bitok for the third time.

Makilap meant that the PS had been denied an opportunity to become governor twice (in 2013 and 2022) and should be rewarded with the seat next year.

"I want to appeal to you not to crucify Prof Bitok for the third time. He has employed many people in my constituency and in Uasin Gishu when he was PS for Immigration and at basic education. A bull that is still siring calves should not be castrated," Makilap quipped.

Kesses MP Julius Rutto said that the PS has been influencing development programmes in Uasin Gishu as he prepares to unseat Governor Bii.

The Kesses MP hailed Bitok as a defender of Uasin Gishu's interests at the national government. He asked Governor Bii to stop taking credit for Bitok's efforts to bring development to the county.

"The power connectivity that we enjoy in many parts of Kesses is courtesy of PS Bitok. The current Governor should not move around, taking credit for the PS' efforts," said Rutto.

Although Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi has not hit out at Bitok publicly, his frosty relations with the PS have been poignant because of the legislator's support for Governor Bii's second term in office.

Sudi and Bii have been holding their functions jointly in the last one year.

He has been publicly defending Bii from onslaughts by a faction ostensibly led by Senator Jackson Mandago. 

- Reports by Stephen Rutto, Julius Chepkwony and Ndungu Gachane