Contest under other parties or face lock out, JP aspirants told

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, Kericho governor Paul Chepkwony, Senator Aaron Cheruiyot and Kericho county Assembly Speaker Japheth Kiptergech Mutai have a chat at Kiptenden village in Bureti. Moi warned politicians eyeing the Jubilee Party (JP) ticket that impeccable sources in the party had confided in him that JP had already drawn a list of its preferred candidates.PHOTO: COURTESY

Anxiety has gripped politicians in Rift Valley eyeing the Jubilee Party ticket. Their fears are founded on claims that the party leadership has already drawn a list of preferred candidates for various elective seats in the next general election.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto have publicly stated that the new party will not condone the culture of preferred candidates and/or direct nominations. The latest round of deep suspicion and bitter competition pits elected leaders against aspirants — divisions that threaten party unity.