Why Uhuru skipped campaign rallies in Kericho by-election

As an observer, I followed with keen interest the political events and intrigues that characterized the campaigns for Kericho senatorial and Malindi parliamentary by-elections. One question that would not escape the mind of a section of the leaders in the Jubilee team was, “how come President Uhuru Kenyatta gave a wide berth to the campaign rallies organized to drum up support for JAP candidate in Kericho?”  Well, in his answer to this question, it is claimed one of the senior directors of communication at State House was quoted as saying that the President had faith in the team under the leadership of the DP Ruto that it will bring the trophy home.

Unlike in Malindi where the ruling coalition was battling it out with a candidate fronted by opposition ODM, I hope many Kenyans would agree with me that the situation in Kericho was tricky. First, the political events and developments witnessed during the campaigns left one with no doubt that the battle for the seat would be a two-horse race pitting William Ruto’s United Republican Party (URP) candidate and one fronted by KANU chairman and the son of former President Daniel Arap Moi, Gideon Moi. Over the past few years, the two have been fighting a fierce political supremacy battle over who should lead the Kalenjin community. For the 24-years he ruled the country, Gideon’s father had remained the undisputed de facto leader of the Kalenjin. For William Ruto, he would mince no word in branding Gideon as a spoiler out to thwart his bid to succeed President Uhuru in 2022. This is as envisaged in the MOU Uhuru and Ruto signed in the countdown to 2013 General Elections. Does Moi think only a person who hails from their family can lead Kenya?