Race for top seat to be won or lost during the UDA party primaries

Some of the aspirants eying the governor seat on UDA ticket.

With less than six months to the August 9 polls, a tough political contest is shaping up in Baringo County as politicians declare interest in the top seat.

Currently held by Stanley Kiptis, the seat has attracted the former governor Benjamin Cheboi, former Wildlife Principal Secretary Fred Segor, Eldama Ravine MP Moses Lessonet, former County Assembly Clerk Richard Koech, former Elgeyo Marakwet director of procurement Robert Chelagat and businessman Geoffrey Chepkalum.

But this battle will be won or lost during the United Democratic Alliance Party (UDA) party primaries to be held from April 9 to April 16.

All aspirants are members of Deputy President William Ruto's UDA party and they have been trying to catch his eye during his visits to the county.

He only introduces the aspirants to the people and asks them not to expect endorsement from him or any party officials.

"To all aspirants, I assure you the party primaries will be free and fair. I urge you to look for votes from the people and do not expect any endorsement from me," he said.

Some of the aspirants are aware that the race will be tough.

"I am aware of what is ahead because I know this contest starts and ends with the UDA primaries," said Cheptalum, adding that the county requires a person who can change the lives of the people.

Chepkalum claims despite the enormous resources, the residents have not enjoyed the fruits of devolution.

“The county has huge resources and if well utilised, the people will benefit greatly. I intend to bring change with a focus on challenges of water and unemployment among the youth,” he said.

The businessman claims previous leadership focused on themselves and not the people.

Asked why he chose to vie on a UDA party, he said that is the party for the region, and being the youngest at 40, he is banking on the youth. 

Former governor Cheboi says he knows what to do to improve the living standards.

Cheboi won the seat on a URP ticket in 2013 and lost to Kiptis in the Jubilee Party primaries in 2017. 

In his rallies, he has been asking the people to elect him if they want development. 

“Elect Cheboi for development, employment to the youth and better economy,” he said in Kabarnet last Sunday.

Koech, the former County Assembly Clerk says he has been in a devolved unit long enough to understand the dynamics of governance.

Before working with the county government, he served in the Office of the Auditor-General for nine years and rose to become an audit manager in Kakamega.

“I am in the race and I am very passionate about our people. We have to make a difference in their lives,” Koech said.

He says he wants to change the approach on development and focus more on quality service delivery.

He adds that his focus is on things that will benefit the locals directly.

“I have noted that there are billions of shillings invested in projects especially infrastructure which are not serving any purpose.

"I need to change the approach and focus on things that will improve living standards,” he added.

Lessonet, the current Eldama Ravine MP maintains that he is the man to watch.

Asked why he decided to go for the county's top seat and not defend the parliamentary he has been holding for three terms, he said what he desires to do for the locals can only be done when he is the governor.

“I chose to contest for the top seat because what I desire to do to the people is not achievable with me as an MP,” he says.

Lessonet says his focus is on the youth especially those who fail to join tertiary colleges.

He says he intends to support farmers and have a school in each of the sub-counties to assist needy learners.

Segor, the former Wildlife Principal Secretary says in the last ten years, Baringo leadership has not managed to push for the establishment of a university in the area.

He says he will to push for the establishment of a university by 2025 and that his government will offer the youth soft loans and grants.

Chelagat, the former Elgeyo Marakwet director of procurement says the county has over the years seen rollovers amounting to billions of shillings which he intends to address.

“My background in accounts and procurement gives me an edge in terms of management,” he says.

But Governor Kiptis is banking on his development track to seek re-election.

Elected on a transformational agenda in 2017, Kiptis had promised to address water challenges in the area.

He says much will be achieved if he is given another chance.

“Even though resources were not flowing the way we expected, Baringo people can attest we have done much,” he says.

Kiptis claims at least 53 per cent of Baringo residents have access to water.

He boasts of having the highest number of health facilities at 147, adding that the process of equipping them is ongoing.

The flow and transfer of patients to Moi Teaching and Referral and Nakuru Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital will be dealt with, he says.

He adds that his focus was also on value addition and factories including the Cha Coffee Mill and the Maoi slaughter are already in place.

He says his government supported farmers by offering coffee seedlings and fertiliser.