Basic Education Principal Secretary Prof Julius Bitok has officially declared intention to vie for the Uasin Gishu governorship in 2027.
Prof. Bitok has twice unsuccessfully vied for the seat, on both occasions, losing during party primaries.
He first vied for the seat in 2013, but lost to Jackson Mandago during the defunct United Republican Party (URP) nomination.
In the 2017 General Election, he did not vie for any seat, but returned in 2022, where he again lost in the nominations, this time around to Jonathan Bii Chelilim during the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) nomination.
But with just two years to the 2027 General Election, Prof. Bitok has now indicated that he will be in the race for the county’s top seat.
When did Julius Bitok announce he will vie for Uasin Gishu governor’s seat in 2027
He made his intention public on Saturday, August 23, 2025, when he attended Seventh Day Adventist Church’s end of Quiquennium mega camp at the Central Primary School grounds.
When he was given an opportunity to address the congregation, Prof Bitok had asked church members present to pray for him, alongside other leaders who had expressed interest to vie for various seats.
However, he did not expressly say he was in the gubernatorial race
Later, former Uasin Gishu Senator Julius Melly who was leading a fundraiser during the event announced that Bitok would vie for governor’s seat.
“Prof Bitok has finally told me which seat he wants us to pray for him to win. He will vie for the governor seat,” Melly said.
His declaration adds new twist to the Uasin Gishu gubernatorial race, with Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim expected to seek reelection.
A few months ago, Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi had hinted at supporting Chelilim’s re-election bid while asking Prof Bitok to shelve his gubernatorial ambitions with the promise of securing a Cabinet Secretary post in the next government.
