Will former Kericho Senator Charles Keter's rise to Cabinet now consolidate the South Rift vote?

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s move to pick Kericho Senator Charles Keter as nominee for the position of Cabinet Secretary Energy and Petroleum has sparked a political debate in the South Rift region.

Opinion is divided as supporters of Deputy President William Ruto hail the move as one that will scuttle emerging threat from Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, who has declared he will take an alternative political path from Ruto’s preferred Jubilee Alliance Party.

Former Kericho Senator Charles Keter (PHOTO: COURTESY)

Governor Ruto fell out with the Deputy President when he was chairman of the Council of Governors over his constant attacks on the Government in matters related to devolution. He later differed sharply with United Republican Party (URP) leader when he announced the party will dissolve and join TNA in the Jubilee Alliance Party.

Leaders allied to the Governor have registered Mashinani People’s Party of Kenya (MPPK) to curb the Deputy President’s political influence in the Rift Valley ahead of the 2017 General Election.

The group is keen on fielding a candidate to contest the Nyangores Ward seat by-election following the death of MCA Ceciliah Towet. Bomet Speaker Geoffrey Kipngetich has declared the seat vacant but the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is yet to fix the date for the by-election.

Mr Jonathan Rono, one of the MPPK interim officials, says the civic by-election would act as litmus test for the new party that they plan to use to the political dominance of Deputy President William Ruto in the Rift Valley region. “The by-election will be the beginning of our journey in search of an alternative political force in Rift Valley because URP is set to dissolve and join JAP,” Rono said.

According to politicians aligned to the DP, Keter’s inclusion in the Cabinet is expected to counter Governor Ruto’s activities, check Kanu onslaught in region beside tacking the Kipsigis rebellion in the south.

“Uhuru has every intent to once again use the Rift Valley as his launch pad for re-election. He has to curb the dissent in the South Rift and ensure the Maasai are strongly wooed this time around,” said a former Cabinet minister who requested not to be named so as not to be seen as antagonising those in power.

However, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso argued that Keter’s appointment has nothing to do with the politics but was meant to strengthen the Government.

Seasoned rookies

“Rift Valley has always and will always remain under President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto. Keter’s appointment was done to serve Kenyans,” she argued.

Another key appointment in Rift Valley was that of Willy Bett, a former CEO Kenya Seed Company, and a close ally of the Deputy President to the agriculture portfolio.

Already, seasoned and political rookies are positioning themselves to contest on the URP ticket. Some DP allies want a seasoned politician picked to succeed Keter.

“Since Keter will be not be active politically, the DP needs someone who will play the role of keeping Governor Ruto in check,” says Simon arap Namba, a political activist.

He argued that since Cabinet Secretaries are not allowed to engage in politics, the DP will have to groom another political ally who will be as loyal as Keter. Former ODM chairman and MP Franklin Bett is among the names that many people are mentioning to be the possible successor.

The Deputy President’s supporters in Kericho County are telling whoever wants to listen to political gossip that the former Kanu man who has lately turned out to be a staunch Ruto defender is the chosen one.

Voice of reason

”I am still weighing my options. My options are still open and I am still consulting widely before reaching a decision on whether or not to table my bid for the Senate contest,” the former Roads minister told The Standard on Sunday.

Bett recently lauded the President’s Cabinet changes as he called for the support of both President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Deputy President in the South Rift region.

“Bett has been a voice of reason whenever issues arise between the DP and Governor Ruto.

If you will agree with me, he has contributed to the rise and rise of Deputy President William Ruto in a way,” says Peter Cheruiyot, a URP official.

He adds: “Forget the fact that during the 2013 elections, he was in ODM camp. He did it out of free will but was sure the Jubilee Government would win in the larger Rift-Valley vote bloc.”

Former Kipkelio MP Margerer Langat is another politician who has shown interest in succeeding Keter. Magerer, a former ODM Executive Director, said he will make a formal announcement after Parliament approves Keter’s appointment. “While we thank the president for elevating Keter to the Cabinet, it is also a blessing for the residents of Kipkelion East and West Constituency. They now have a chance to claim the senatorial position and I would be offering my candidature for the seat,” said Langat.

Bett admitted through his Twitter account that he was under pressure to replace Keter at the Senate, but pointed out that the IEBC was yet to declare the position vacant and was, therefore, awaiting appropriate time to announce his political direction.

“People have sought my opinion on if I would run for Kericho County senatorial seat in case the vacancy is declared. I wish to clarify that there has been no vacancy declared yet.”

Nelson Koech, a Nairobi-based businessman and Jubilee Party activist also told The Standard on Sunday that once the vacancy is declared vacant, he would also offer himself for election.

“We have been solidly behind Jubilee Government and it is only fair that the ticket would be handed to someone who has been behind the Government from the word go,” said Koech. Another businessman, Ken Mutai has also been floated as another potential candidate due to his youth, financial muscle and political connections.

Former Assistant Cabinet Minister Paul Sang who came second after Keter in the 2013 senatorial election has also sent a subtle signal that he could give the seat another shot.