Uasin Gishu gubernatorial hopefuls have already started hunting for running mates in preparations for the August general elections.

And with the county’s politics still largely tribal,aspirants are seeking to partner with a candidate from another majority community in the county to tilt the arithmetic and boost their candidature.

Aspirants from the Nandi sub-tribe have been hunting for running mates from the Keiyo community, which is the second largest populous community in the region, while those from the Keiyo community are seeking to be deputized by Nandi candidates.

The Kikuyu community, the third largest in the county have also been angling for the post of Deputy Governor, but late last year the incumbent Governor Jackson Mandago turned them down declaring that he will retain his Deputy, Daniel Chemno, as he seeks a second term.

Governor Mandago said he and Chemno made an agreement with the Keiyo community to run for two terms. Mandago is from the Nandi community while Chemno is from Keiyo.

A week ago, gubernatorial hopeful Dr. Edward Serem, picked a female running mate, Engineer Pauline Chemutai Olbara, from the Keiyo community in what political pundits opine was a move to kill two birds with one stone- woo the women and the Keiyo vote.

“I picked my running mate following wide consultations and thorough vetting by residents of Eldoret East, this was a people-driven exercise,”Dr. Serem had announced.

Other front runners say they are consulting widely to identify individuals who will boost their chances of winning the seat. Yesterday, Buzeki group of Companies boss Kiprop Bundotich, who took his campaigns to Kesses, said he is engaging the Nandi community in the selection of a running mate.

“I am already having talks, but what I can assure you is that my Deputy will be from the Nandi community and I am sure of putting up a winning team,” he said in a meeting in Kaplelach.

Another gubernatorial hopeful, Felix Butit who hails from the Keiyo community has also hinted at picking his running mate from the Nandi community. He however pointed out that he is still consulting widely so as to get the right candidate.

The ethnic arithmetic has forced leading governor aspirants to hold consultative meetings with elected and opinion leaders from various communities in an effort to endear themselves to voters from across ethnic groups.