Outgoing Kesses Member of Parliament Dr Swarup Mishra has pleaded with locals in the constituency to forgive him for what admits was a wrong decision that he took in the recently concluded general election.
Mishra opted to seek re-election as an independent candidate, instead of joining the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), a party led by Deputy President William Ruto.
It is a decision that turned out to be a bad one, as the legislator ended up losing the seat.
But with Dr William Ruto now poised to be the fifth President, the outgoing legislator has now congratulated him, even as he says the mistake will not be repeated.
“I humbly request my community to forgive me for the wrong decision which I took. Sometimes we take decisions because of no wisdom. Wrong decisions happen,” said the former MP who was elected in 2017 on a Jubilee party ticket.
At the time a majority of Jubilee MPs allied to Ruto were joining UDA, Mishra opted to stick with President Uhuru Kenyatta – a decision that received criticisms from local leaders and politicians.
However, he hopes in future he will not make wrong choices.
“It is good that we realize and reconcile and also we correct ourselves and in the future, it never happens,” he said.
Congratulations Ruto
“My family and I want to convey congratulations and warm greetings and success to the President-elect,” Mishra told journalists.
Earlier, he had also taken to his verified Facebook page to share his congratulatory message to Ruto.
“As you assume office, please be assured of our prayers for your presidency, your family and the Kenya Kwanza government; And by the grace of God we shall enjoy the fruits of an empowered and blessed,” noted the legislator.
During the recently-concluded election, Mishra lost the Kesses MP seat to newcomer CPA Julius Ruto of UDA.
CPA Ruto was making his maiden political bid, having previously served as the Uasin Gishu County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Finance and Economic Planning.
He resigned in February 2022 to vie for the seat.
Relationship with Ruto
Mishra had a good relationship with the President-elect before they took different political positions.
They enjoyed a cordial relationship, and at some time, Ruto graced the official opening of his posh residence within Elgon View estate on the outskirts of Eldoret town.
Aside from politics, Mishra is also a businessman. He runs the Mediheal Group of Hospitals, one of the biggest private health facilities in Eldoret town.
The hospital also has branches in Nakuru, Nairobi and Kigali, Rwanda.
