Kanu and Jubilee leave nothing to chance in Kericho by-election

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto and Kanu candidate for the Kericho senate by-election Paul Sang (centre) campaign at Roret Friday.

KERICHO: With just two days before the Kericho senatorial by-election, candidates are leaving nothing to chance and will be criss-crossing the county as they canvass for votes.

Today, Deputy President William Ruto will be at the Kapkatet grounds to campaign for Jubilee Alliance Party’s flag bearer Aaron Cheruiyot. The Kanu team led by Chairman Gideon Moi will address the party’s final rally at the Kericho Green Stadium to drum up support for its candidate Paul Sang.

Yesterday, the Kanu and Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) candidates held several rallies across the county a day before the official campaign period draws to a close.  

After a brief meeting with his campaign strategists in Kericho town, Sang kicked off his campaigns at Roret market in Bureti Constituency where he urged voters to reject Jubilee.

The former Bureti MP claimed the ruling coalition was using state resources and civil servants to campaign for its candidate. “Jubilee is desperate to win. That is why it has involved civil servants in its campaigns and has deployed state machinery,” he said in Tulwet.

Large numbers

At Kamanamsim in Bureti, Sang,  with Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto in tow, continued his courtship of teachers whom he urged to support his candidacy.

Across the county in Kabianga, Belgut Constituency, JAP’s  Cheruiyot implored his supporters to turn out in large numbers for Monday's by-election.

Cheruiyot kicked off the last legs of his campaigns at Kibwastuyo in Bureti before moving to Motobo and Keongo in Ainamoi Constituency.

His campaign team comprising Senate Majority Leader Kindiki Kithure, senators Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet), Stephen Sang (Nandi), Isaac Melly (Uasin Gishu) and Liz Chelule (nominated) split into two groups to spearhead the vote hunt.

The groups addressed gatherings at Kapsaos and Chepkosilen in Belgut before holding a joint rally at Kabianga.

The Jubilee team claimed Kanu leaders and Governor Isaac Ruto were working with Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) to divide the Kalenjin vote ahead of the 2017 elections.

“We have heard from CORD leader Raila Odinga that they expect victory in the Malindi and Kericho by-elections. CORD has no candidate in Kericho and this has confirmed our fears that Kanu is working with them,” Kindiki said.

But addressing their rallies, the Kanu team dismissed the claims. They scoffed at allegations that they were out to divide the Kalenjin community in Rift Valley ahead of the next General Election.

Sang’s team split into three groups and addressed several meetings in the county. One group led by Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno criss-crossed Cheborgei, Chemoiben and Tebkutwet/Ngororgra in Bureti constituency.

The other team led by Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter went to Sondu in Soin-Sigowet Constituency and Chemamul, Kamaso and Jamji in Belgut. Others in the campaign trail were Oscar Sudi (Kapseret) and former Kipkelion MP Magerer Lang’at.

Governor Ruto said the DP should not arm-twist Kericho voters to elect someone they do not want.

“This is a contest for a senate position and not a contest for the position of the Deputy President as JAP insists,” said the Governor. “We are not against anyone. All we are asking for is for the people to be freed from the yoke of dictatorship and to have an equitable share of resources.”

This message was reiterated by other leaders. Keter said the contest was a county affair and not a vote of confidence  for or against the DP. “If they (Jubilee) want their own man in Kericho, then they have that in the person of county commissioner. A senator is a people’s representative, not a government appointee,” said Keter.

The Nandi Hills MP said Kericho voters would elect Sang as protest vote against the skewed allocation of resources and unfulfilled promises by the Jubilee administration. 

“I am yet to see a government that lies to its people. It is crazy, it is scary,” Keter said.

Sudi said President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy had taken Rift Valley residents for a ride for far too long.

“Voters will use the Kericho by-election to give the Jubilee administration a yellow card. It is time for the Executive to shape up ahead of the next General Election or ship out,” Sudi  said.

However, the Jubilee team hit back. Kindiki said Kanu cannot claim to be part of Jubilee if  it was fielding a candidate to run against those nominated by the ruling coalition.

Jubilee MPs Asman Kamama, Benjamin Langat (Ainamoi), Justice Kemei (Soin/Sigowet), Jackson Rop (Kipkelion West), Joseph Limo (Kipkelion East) and Jackson Kangogo (Marakwet West) also joined the campaign trail.