Rivals draw tight campaign schedules as Kericho mini-poll nears

KERICHO: Kanu and Jubilee intensified their campaigns in Kericho County as the race for the Senate seat entered the homestretch. With less than nine days to the March 7 mini-poll, rejuvenated Kanu and Jubilee brigade led by Deputy President William Ruto stepped up campaigns for their candidates, yesterday.

Kanu, currently enjoying the backing of rebel United Republican Party (URP) leaders led by Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, MPs Alfred Keter (Nandi), Oscar Sudi (Kapseret) and Johanna Ng’eno (Emurua Dikirr) held rallies in four constituencies to campaign for Paul Sang. They were joined by Kanu Secretary General Nick Salat and former Kipkelion MP Magerer Langat during the rallies in Bureti, Belgut and Ainamoi constituencies.

They kicked off their meetings in Sachangwan, Belgut Constituency where they told residents to shun Jubilee and support Kanu and its candidate Sang, who they said is experienced and well prepared to articulate issues of Kericho residents. “Sang has been tried and tested and is best candidate among the four. Jubilee has failed and there is no need of giving them another chance,” Salat said.

Governor Ruto, a fierce critic of the DP said involvement of some Jubilee leaders in corruption scandals was clear indication of failure in their governance.
“You have all heard what is going on with the NYS scandal and whose names have been mentioned. This is reason enough why Kericho residents must vote against Aaron Cheruiyot during the by-election,” said Ruto. The leaders, who held meetings in Borbowet, Cheboin, Kipchebor and Nyabangi, accused Jubilee of using State resources and civil servants in its campaigns.

Ng’eno accused Jubilee of failing to fulfill its pre-election pledges to the people of Kericho County and therefore not deserving to retain the Senate seat.

The Kanu team later split into two groups in a bid to counter the Jubilee campaign machinery that was in four helicopters.

But the Jubilee brigade under command of DP Ruto stepped up their campaign for Aaron Cheruiyot, criss-crossing the vast county holding a total of seven rallies to counter growing dissent. Ruto landed in Londiani in the company of CS Charles Keter, Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, Governor Paul Chepkwony, MPs Benjamin Langat (Ainamoi), Justice Kimei (Singowet/Soin), Jackson Rop, his Kipkelion East Joseph Limo, Belgut’s Eric Keter and Jackson Kiptanui of Keiyo south.

Jubilee campaigns received a major boost after former Roads Minister Franklin Bett and former National Housing Corporation Managing Director Sammy Chepkwony vowed to support its candidate. The two had lost in the JAP primaries and there were fears that they were campaigning for the Kanu candidate to protest what they termed as shoddy party nominations.

The DP claimed that Kanu and other Opposition parties were ganging up to divide voters in Rift Valley, where he enjoys massive support.

“What is happening is that Kanu is coming through the back door with intentions of dividing and spoiling Jubilee party and not about winning the Kericho senatorial seat,” he said while addressing campaign rallies for Jubilee party candidate Aaron Cheruiyot at various trading centres in the county. “You should ignore those spreading propaganda that Jubilee has failed. They want to join the Opposition and they want to take you along,” said the DP, in reference to Governor Ruto who was spearheading Sang’s campaign for the seat.

West Pokot Senator Prof John Lonyangapuo however dismissed the DP’s comments, saying Kanu was part of the 13 parties that entered into a post-election coalition agreement with Jubilee. “Ruto as usual is using politics of dishonest to win sympathy.

Kanu is firmly in Jubilee and not part of the Opposition as he wants people to believe. He should know that the mark of a good leader is honest engagement and not thriving on lies,” said Lonyangapuo.

The Jubilee team held rallies in Londiani, Kunyak, Fortenan, Chepseon, Ainamoi, Torit Primary School and Roret. Its leaders urged area residents to vote for the Jubilee candidate for the sake of accelerated development in the area.