Political Titans Sang-Kosgey clash as race for Nandi Governor shapes up into a two-horse race

Nandi County Senator Stephen Arap Sang and Former Industrialization Minister Henry Kosgey on Sunday face-off in one of the most consequential meet-up at a church function in Chepterwai, Mosop constituency.

Residents had turned up in large numbers for the thanksgiving service to tune in for the hotly-anticipated political duel between Kosgey and Sang as the race for Nandi governorship shapes up into a two-horse race and a highly charged political rematch between the duo.

Senator Sang who was the first to take to the podium hyped the crowd when he talked about multinational tea estates whose leases are about to expire.

The legislator said if elected he will ensure that the tea estates are reverted back to the county and further push for funds allocated to the Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) are used to benefit Nandi residents by being injected into the bursary kitty.

"In Kericho county, multinational tea estates, through CSR, educates bright needy students in secondary and tertiary institutions within and out of the country. In my agenda I want to ensure the tea estates contribute to the county bursary kitty," said Sang amid cheers.
He also took an indirect swipe at Kosgey when he said it was unfortunate that past leaderships had sidelined Mosop in terms of road networks.

"I don't know what crime Mosop residents committed that the past leaderships ignored them in terms of the road network. When we came in, the region had no single kilometer of tarmac though we had a Transport minister, but through our efforts out of the 200 kilometers of the road network that was recently launched by Jubilee Government Mosop got a lion share as an affirmative action," Sang pointed out.

However, when Kosgey, who was the Chief Guest, took to the podium, he was prompted to defend himself against claims that he intends to acquire the tea estates once the leases expire. He instead accused the incumbent Governor Cleophas Lagat of intimidating and coercing multinationals for kickbacks.
"I have heard people mention tea estates, I want to tell you that I will ensure the tea estates are placed in the hands of the Nandi people. I personally went to London and fought to ensure Siret tea estate are given to the people, which they now own. For Kibwari and Kipkeibon, I bought it myself. I never grabbed any tea estate," said Kosgey.

He also sought to defend himself against claims that during his reign as Minister he sidelined Mosop constituency. Kosgey said he served Nandi residents without any bias.

With the governor race tightening into a two horse race, the stakes could hardly be higher with the anticipated political rematch between Sang and Kosgey, with commentators terming it a clash of the titans.

Nevertheless Sang's strong show of might and masterful policy details in Mosop, could make the race highly competitive and possibly see him pull out in front.