Several Kericho politicians are in a dilemma on what party ticket to use between President Uhuru’s Jubilee and Deputy President William Ruto’s UDA in the 2022 election.
Kericho could be the epicenter of a fierce political battle in the South Rift given that key Ruto allies are plotting to get his attention to run on a UDA ticket.
Hopefuls include Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter and Senator Aaron Cheruiyot. Former Kipkelion MP Magerer Langat has also declared his interest in the seat. Each of them is keen to fly the UDA flag.
Others in the race are Fred Kirui and recently appointed Kericho Deputy Governor Lily Ngok. Speaking to the Star, Kirui expressed optimism that he will win the race.
“It’s time for Kipkelion people to get that seat after Ainamoi produced the first Governor Paul Chepkwony,” Kirui said.
Keter resigned from his Senate seat in 2015 when he was appointed to the Cabinet.
It will be a headache for Ruto on whom to nominate between Keter and Aaron as both are his key lieutenants in South Rift. A poor miscalculation in the UDA nomination could see some aspirants decamp and contest as independents.
Keter is known for his aggressiveness in politics. His eleventh-hour door-to-door and day-and-night campaigns could see him sail through. In his first attempt, Keter won the Belgut parliamentary seat when it was being held by his brother-in-law Charles Kirui.
He went on to win the seat for a second time before becoming the first Kericho senator in 2013.
