It is now just under three weeks before Kenyans go to the polls to elect new leaders.
While the state house contest is billed to be a two-horse race between UDA’s Dr William Ruto and Raila Odinga of Azimio, there are several other races at the grassroots worth giving your attention to.
In Uasin Gishu for example, there are several do-or-die contests, pitting UDA – Deputy President William Ruto’s party and independent candidates.
They are contests worth having an interest in, keeping in mind that Uasin Gishu is home to Deputy President and UDA presidential candidate.
We take a look at some of the independent candidates giving the UDA ones a run for their money in DP Ruto’s home county.
Dr Swarup Mishra
The current Kesses Member of Parliament is seeking a second term in the August 9 poll.
He was first elected in 2017 on a Jubilee ticket but ahead of the upcoming general election, he has opted to defend the seat as an independent candidate.
His re-election bid faces stiff competition from UDA’s CPA Julius Ruto.
CPA Ruto resigned in February 2022, from his position as the Uasin Gishu County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Finance and Economic Planning.
Silas Tiren
The Moiben MP contest is billed as a two-horse race between the incumbent Tiren and UDA’s Prof. Phyllis Bartoo.
Former MP Joseph Lagat can also not be wished away in the race, having narrowly lost out to Prof. Bartoo in the repeat UDA nominations in April 2022.
Both Tiren and Lagat are vying as independent candidates.
William Chepkut
Ainabkoi Constituency is another electoral unit that a UDA candidate is not yet assured of a win in Uasin Gishu.
UDA has fielded former MP Samuel Chepkong’a who is up against several candidates, among them the current MP William Chepkut – who many consider a main threat in the race.
Frank Murgor
It is almost an assured win for Kapseret legislator Oscar Sudi, but he also has strong competition from a newcomer in the constituency’s politics – Frank Murgor.
Murgor was initially in the UDA party but opted out before the nominations and decided to be on the ballot as an independent candidate.
He has been mounting a spirited campaign, which has somehow rattled the vocal legislator.
Dr Elias Melly
The Alexandria Hospital founder finished third in the Soy MP UDA nominations, behind winner David Kiplagat, the current Uasin Gishu County Assembly Speaker.
Despite efforts to have him drop out of the race, Dr Melly opted to go the independent way.
Buzeki
This is arguably the mother of all battles between UDA and an independent candidate.
Buzeki is going for the Uasin Gishu gubernatorial seat for the second time, and he is up against UDA’s Jonathan Bii Chelilim alias Koti Moja.
UDA team in the county has been pushing for a six-piece voting pattern in a bid to sweep all the seats, even as independent candidates insist on the need to elect leaders based on their individual abilities.
It now remains in the hands of voters to pick an individual they feel better suits them.
