Even before campaigns for the March 7 Kericho Senate by-elections begin in earnest, Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) is already hobbled by claims of voting irregularities during its nominations.
Sammy Chepkwony, who lost to Aaron Cheruiyot in the Jubilee nominations, has filed a formal protest letter to JAP’s Secretary General Veronica Maina, claiming irregularities in the vote count in Kipkeleon East constituency, which he has described as his stronghold.
The party has not responded to his complaints, and the other nominees — Franklin Bett and Magerer Langat— who narrowly lost in the nominations will be watching to see where the wind blows.
Pundits have been quick to point to a potential fallout if Jubilee does not seal the cracks that emerged from the nominations.
“The Jubilee nominations were competitive where Smmy Chepkwony, Franklin Bett and Magerer Langat lost narrowly to Mr Cheruiyot in the nomination marred by claims of voter bribery. This did not go down well with some of the losers and their supporters who still feel short-changed,” said political scientist Philip Chebunet of the University of Eldoret.
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Other political parties could complicate the equation for Jubilee and have fielded strong candidates in Paul Sang (Kanu) and Bishop Daniel Tanui of the National Vision Party (NVP).
Kanu has moved swiftly and is already exploiting these cracks, says Joel Soi, a political science lecturer at Kisii University’s, Kericho campus.
“There is a lot going for Sang. For instance teachers have already pledged their support and this was confirmed by the attendance of Stanley Mutai, a member Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) National Executive Committee, during a ceremony where Sang received the Kanu nomination certificate,” said Mr Soi.
Whether teachers vote for Sang because of Mutai’s or Knut’s influence is another matter as union have rarely demonstrated an ability to sway voters.
However, Soi believes Cheruiyot has a strong appeal among the youth, and when this is propped by a government campaign machinery, the odds could turn in his favour.
Dr Chebunet cautioned it would be prudent for JAP to be cautious.
“The losers in the JAP nomination were clearly not happy with the outcome. They may not have defected but they feel let down,” he said.
Kanu has received support from unlikely quarters in Knut secretary general Wilson Sossion who has declared he will rally teachers behind Sang—a former high school principal before plunging into politics. There is no denying that the union has brought its force to bear.
“We harbour no grudge with the Government and are only exercising our democratic and constitutional right,” said Kericho Knut secretary Daniel Chumo.
“We are going to rally behind a mature, tested and tried politician who will not take too long to learn the Standing Orders in the Senate,” said Chumo.
Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto’s Mashinani Development Party of Kenya and Musalia Mudavadi’s Amani National Congress have also thrown their weight behind the Kanu nominee.
Pass message
Kericho already has a Kanu MP, Erick Keter (Belgut), who in the 2013 General Election defied the United Republican Party wave to trounce Nelson Koech.
Pundits says there is disquiet among Jubilee supporters who believe that Belgut constituency is overrepresented in the county leadership, overshadowing five other constituencies.
Chumo, who is also the Knut Bureti Sub County Executive Secretary, observes that Cheruiyot is from Belgut constituency and may be related to the Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary, Charles Keter, whose elevation to the Cabinet triggered the by-election.
“We can get leaders from other areas of the county, especially Kipkelion, which is populous but lacks representation at the county level,” said Chumo.
Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony is from Ainamoi constituency, while the County Women Representative Hellen Chepkwony is from Bureti constituency.
That is probably why the push to have a senator from Kipkelion is gaining currency.
Chebunet says Kipkelion East and West constituencies have a high number of registered voters compared to the other four constituencies, yet Chepkwony and Magerer who are from this region, lost the nominations.
“The battle to succeed Keter will be lost or won in Kipkelion East and West constituencies because they have a high number of voters who may want to pass a message to the powers that be by voting for the opponent,” said the lecturer.
But Chebunet says Jubilee still has the upperhand, especially if President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto take a more active role in Cheruiyot’s campaign.
“Kericho is still under the tight grip of Jubilee and if the President and his deputy campaign for Cheruiyot this will boost his chances of winning. Unless something goes horribly wrong,” Chebunet said.
Kanu is also asserting itself in the region and its Secretary General Nick Salat said they would make renewed efforts to stamp their authority.
“Kanu is ready to give Jubilee a run for its money.” said Salat.
Immediate former senator, Keter, who recently joined the campaign trail has dismissed critics telling him to back off the campaigns owing to his new role as CS. His critics have argued that the law forbids Cabinet Secretaries from getting actively involved in politics.
Keter has scoffed at such calls.
“It’s the Jubilee government that gave me the position of CS and as a result a by-election has to be held. I have every right to campaign for the Jubilee nominee,” said Keter.
Last week, Sang questioned the CSs involvement in politics and petitioned the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to take action against him.
