Day of high drama as parties flex muscles on final campaign day

KERICHO: Deputy President William Ruto's motorcade was temporarily blocked as boisterous Kanu supporters flooded the streets of Kericho town in the last day of campaigns ahead of tomorrow's by-election.

The DP, who was riding in an open roof vehicle alongside JAP candidate Aaron Cheruiyot, was blocked from using the Nakuru-Kericho highway on his way to the final Jubilee rally at Uhuru gardens within the town.

After a brief exchange with the DP's security detail, the road was cleared with Kanu supporters chanting "Jogoo,Jogoo! Kanu! Kanu Juu!" at the DP's convoy. Chants by Cheruiyot's supporters were drowned by the Kanu brigade that kept advancing towards the DP's vehicle.

After witnessing the exchanges from the roof of his vehicle, Ruto gestured to his motorcade to make a U-turn towards Sinendet Towers. They then passed though the Jumbo Petrol Station and headed to Uhuru gardens.

As the drama was unfolding,  Baringo Senator Gideon Moi and the party's candidate Paul Sang hovered over the sky in four helicopters branded in Kanu colours.

Nine helicopter and hundreds of top-of-the-range vehicles descended in Kericho town, bringing business to a standstill.

Kanu supporters, who had flooded the streets of the town as early as 6am,  had earlier in the day occupied and painted the nearby Moi Gardens in the party’s black, red and green colours, singing and dancing as they waited for their leaders to address the last rally before tomorrow polls.

HOSTILE GROUND

The incident had been preceded by last-minute cancellation of JAP’s planned rally at Kapkatet over what organisers termed as hostility on the ground.

Instead, the DP chose to fly to a number of meetings in various parts of the county with the Energy and Petroleum CS Charles Keter, senators Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet), Stephen Sang (Nandi), Isaac Melly (Uasin Gishu), Liza Chelule (nominated), Governors Paul Chepkwony (Kericho) and Kinuthia Mbugua of Nakuru County.

Also present were about  30 Jubillee MPs led by National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale and Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso.

Early in the morning, there was a stand-off between the police, Kanu leaders and their supporters after the security team attempted to cordon off Moi Gardens in the town centre which had been secured by the independence party alongside Kericho Green Stadium.

Keter came under attack from some leaders who claimed he was inciting people and was actively taking part in the campaigns when the law required that  public servants should be neutral.

“The CS incited the residents on Friday night and made public utterances that have the potential to divide the people or cause chaos. He should know that no amount of intimidation will make people change their minds,” said Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter.

Police lobbed teargas canisters to disperse Kanu supporters from Moi Gardens as they demanded that they vacate the venue to pave the way for a political rally by  the Jubilee team at the same venue.

Kanu Secretary General Nick Salat said he had booked both the Kericho Green Stadium and Moi Gardens as the last venues for their rallies and both the police and the IEBC were notified ahead of time as required by the law.

“JAP had planned to hold their rally at Kapkatet stadium. We do not understand why they want to evict us from this venue. If they have found Kapkatet too hot, then they have themselves to blame. It is too late, we will not budge,” Salat told Kanu supporters who jammed the venue.

MPs Oscar Sudi (Kapseret), Johana Ng’eno (Emurua Dikirr) and Keter said they would move a censure motion against Keter and demanded that the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) investigates what they described as inciting remarks made in Kericho town on Friday.

Sudi accused the DP of attempting to use the police to intimidate Kanu supporters.

“Dictatorship has stifled the country. This has forced ordinary Kenyans to finally decide to free themselves from the shackles of Jubilee," said Sudi.

But addressing the JAP rally at Uhuru Gardens,  the DP accused Kanu leaders of working for CORD leader Raila Odinga to divide the Rift Valley ahead of the 2017 General Election.

“The people of Kericho and the Rift Valley must know that the battle for the senate seat is not about Kanu and Jubilee. This is a war between Jubilee and CORD that has hired some leaders to try and divide the Kalenjins,” said Ruto.

He defended the decision to appoint Keter to the Cabinet, and explained that it was driven by the need to implement the Jubilee manifesto.

Earlier when addressing rallies in Kipkelion and Bureti constituencies, Ruto said the government was on the right track. “Anything else is just competition by CORD masquerading as Kanu in Kericho,” said Ruto.

BEST CANDIDATE

He told the Kanu leadership to decide whether to remain in Jubilee or opt out and join the Opposition rather than rock the boat from within.

But addressing the Kanu supporters, Gideon said Kanu's main interest was to ensure that the government delivers services to the people.

The Kanu chairman said Sang was the best candidate for the Kericho senatorial seat.

“As a senator I know the calibre of person required at the Senate. Sang is humble and is not tainted by corruption. He fits the bill. Kanu has jolted the Jubilee administration into action because it is rushing to implement various projects.  They will do more if Sang is elected senator,” Gideon said.

The Kanu chairman advised the DP not to attempt to stifle members of the Kalenjin community just because he hopes to ascend to presidency in the 2022 General Election.

“The future hangs in God’s grace. What the residents want right now is to see development projects being implemented by the current government. They want good roads, medical facilities, education institutions and employment opportunities now,” he said.

Sang said he was the best suited candidate to replace Keter at the Senate. “I humbly ask you to vote for me. You embraced me during the campaign period. I now stand before you to ask you with a lot of humility to vote for me in the Monday by-election,” he said.

On his part, Cheruiyot said his victory would signal a new dawn for Kericho residents and the youth in particular.

“I am a self-made businessman from a humble background. I understand the problems bedevilling the people of Kericho,” he said.

“You backed me during the party primaries, please do not abandon me on Monday. I am up to the task and I am not anyone’s project.”