- Various politicians are scheming on how they can get ahead of their rivals
- Being President Ruto's backyard, the battle for tickets is hitting up especially in UDA
Image: PCS
In the run up to the 2027 general election, a fierce scramble for political seats and positions has already taken center stage in President William Ruto's Rift Valley backyard.
With just a year since the last poll, well-oiled politicians are slowly positioning themselves to dethrone those currently in office.
The move seems to have sent shockwaves in the region.
Riftvalley, known for its political significance and influential voting block, has become a battleground for top dogs and new entrants, all eyeing bigger seats.
Seasoned senators and MPs in the region are laying groundwork and leaving nothing to chance in the race for the seats.
So intense is the jostling that it involves political maneuvers and strategies.
Backroom deals, horse-trading and behind-the-scenes negotiations has become the order of the day, as politicians navigate the treacherous terrain of political competition.
Other politicians are organising sports competitions guised as talent nurturing, which come with heavy goodies for the winners as a way of popularising themselves.
In Bomet, the stakes are high and the competition is vicious, as politicians seeking to replace Governor Hillary Barchok strive to outshine their competitors.
Barchok is serving his last term in office and reports indicate he has set his eyes on the senatorial seat currently held by Hillary Sigei.
Former Chama Cha Mashinani party leader Isaac Rutto, who lost in the last poll for going against Ruto, remains the man to beat in the race.
Rutto, who is currently a member of the Judicial Service Commission, has remained tight-lipped about his political ambition.
His handlers have however maintained that he will be give a final stab in 2027.
Rutto recently urged elected leaders to serve people and shun premature politics.
“I lost the seat but I declared support for those who won. This is the time to work and deliver the promises made to the residents. There is no reason to engage in early politics because that time will come,” he said.
Also eyeing the seat is the second-term Konoin MP, Brighton Yegon and former National Water Conservation and Pipeline chairman Julius Kones.
"It is now my time having supported the founding governor Isaac Rutto, then the late Joyce Laboso and currently Hillary Barchok. If I had been a power-hungry person, I would have contested for the seat but I waited," he said in a recent interview.
In Uasin Gishu, Ruto's home turf, businessman Zedekiah Buzeki is giving Governor Jonathan Chelilim sleepless nights.
Buzeki, a firebrand critic of President Ruto, has never shied off from expressing his views on the state of the county and how the current leaders have failed to deliver.
“Political projects will never have guts to serve the people. Their loyalty is to their masters. This is our situation in Uasin Gishu county,” he recently wrote.
“Political tensions are rising in the county. It's unfortunate to witness elected leaders deviating from their fundamental responsibilities of legislating good laws and promoting economic growth within the county to improve public welfare.”
In Nandi, Senator Samson Cherargei no longer sees eye to eye with Governor Stephen Sang over the 2027 politics.
The two are serving their second terms in office.
While Sang is on record that he will not vie for any seat in future, those in the know claim he is grooming a candidate to succeed him. This has however unsettled his opponents.
“I want to leave a legacy here; my focus is to deliver on my promises. I will not seek any other political seat, I have been a senator and I have completed my two constitutional terms as a governor,” he said.
“Let no one start propaganda that I will run for a parliamentary seat. There are many ways in which one can serve the nation and the county,” he added.
In Kericho, Senator Aaron Cheruiyot is engaging in silent campaigns for the gubernatorial seat having done two terms.
His grassroots movements, driven by a fervent desire for change, accountability and true representation have not gone unnoticed by keen observers.
He recently organised a football tournament that brought together more than 500 teams, an event in its third edition which has continued to excite the youth.
“This is my way of giving back to the society. Our youngsters are gifted with talents that need to be harnessed and strategically anchored to greatness through properly established structures,” Cheruiyot said.
He is set to square it out with Governor Erick Mutai who will be seeking a reelection alongside his deputy Fred Kirui.
Mutai and Kirui recently mended fences after their fallout.
It is clear the battle lines have been drawn as politicians have restricted to one party and the Kenya Kwanza ideology.
The political landscape in the region is a complex tapestry of alliances, rivalries, and vested interests.
Besides the political seats, another simmering tussle is who will replace Ruto, when he retires as the region’s kingpin.
Political heavyweights within and the two regions of North and South rift are strategically aligning themselves with influential candidates, using their influence, resources and networks to ensure they rise to power.
Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ngeno, a second-term MP from Narok and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen are eyeing the post.
Ngeno, who started the debate, is pushing to have a leader from the Kipsigis installed as the second in line.
“It is our time, we demand what is ours. When the President concludes his terms, the seat must come home and we are not politely asking,” he said.
“This time round the Kipsigis must stand up for what is their right.”
As part of his schemes to endear himself to the people, Ngeno also arranged a music competition that brought local musicians from the Kalenjin community together.
Ngeno has teamed up with governors Eric Mutai (Kericho) and Hillary Barchok (Bomet) to push the agenda.
He recently took on Murkomen and asked him to stop early campaigns.
"The trend of fighting Kipsigis leaders should stop. It started with the late Kipkalya Kones and former Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto, it should stop," he said.