Kesses is one of the constituencies in Uasin Gishu County that is expected to witness stiff competition among individuals eyeing the Member of Parliament seat.
The current MP, CPA Julius Ruto, is serving his first term and hopes to be the first legislator to break the ‘one term’ jinx. Since its establishment in 2013, no MP has served for more than one term.
The first MP, James Bett, served from 2013 to 2017 but lost in 2017 to Dr Swarrup Mishra, who was later voted out in 2022, with CPA Ruto taking over.
Who are vying for the Kesses MP seat in 2027
Uasin Gishu News takes a look at some of the aspirants seeking to unseat CPA Ruto.
Swarup Mishra
Mishra is hoping to make a comeback in 2027. The Mediheal Group of Hospitals founder served from 2017 to 2022.
He lost to CPA Ruto in 2022 while vying as an independent candidate. Analysts believe his fallout with President William Ruto contributed to his loss.
Mishra has since reconciled with President Ruto and joined the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Eng Joseph Lagat
Lagat was among the unsuccessful Kesses MP aspirants in 2022. He lost during the UDA nominations that CPA Ruto won.
After the elections, Eng Lagat was appointed Uasin Gishu County Executive Committee Member (CECM) by Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim before he was sacked in April 2026.
Gilbert Tenai
The former Tulwet/Chuiyat Member of County Assembly is also in the race to replace CPA Ruto as Kesses MP.
Tenai served in the Uasin Gishu County Assembly between 2017 and 2022. He lost the seat in 2022 to an independent candidate, Gilbert Kipsang, despite vying on a UDA ticket which was controversially handed to him. The former MCA has been serving as a member of the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) board.
Other aspirants for the Kesses MP seat include Captain Jeff Chebwai and Hillary Seurey. Most of the aspirants are likely to face off in the UDA nominations.
