2022 general election is now only months away, and politicians eyeing various seats have already hit the ground running.
Some have declared interest in their preferred seats while others are still weighing their options.
With election day nearing, more politicians will be declaring their interests – and as they say – a day is too long in politics.
The race for the next governor of Uasin Gishu is one that many, across the country, will be closely following. With the current governor Jackson Mandago serving his second, and last term, it means the county will have its second governor.
We take a look at some of the individuals that have already declared their interest to succeed Mandago;
Prof. Julius Bitok
Formerly a senior lecturer at Moi University, Prof Bitok will be trying his luck for the county’s top seat for a second time, having failed in his first attempt in 2013.
Prof. Bitok, now Kenyan ambassador to Pakistan is seen as among the front runners for the seat.
He has already started popularizing his candidature – using the campaign tag #WakatiNiSasa (translated as time is now) and #LapkeiTai (the future is bright).
Bundotich Zedekia Kiprop (Buzeki)
After almost beating governor Mandago in 2017, staging a well-oiled campaign, Buzeki will once again be going for the seat – a race that will not have a sitting governor, like was the case in the last election.
The billionaire businessman is a politician who speaks his mind, and despite being a fierce critic of Deputy President William Ruto, he is still considered a top contender for the seat.
His campaign tag is ‘Taikofront’.
Jonathan Bii Chelilim
Bii is a former member of the KANU party and unsuccessfully vied for the Soy MP seat in 2017. He has since expressed an interest to vie for the gubernatorial seat.
His charm and ability to articulate issues, both in the local dialect and national languages have made him a darling to many – putting him in a strong position for the county’s top seat.
David Kemei (Kaprotuuk)
Hailing from Aibakoi Sub County, David Kemei has previously worked at Kenya Re and was also the chairperson of the Commission for Revenue Allocation (CRA).
He is seeking to vie for the gubernatorial seat on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket, as many of the aspirants in the county.
Caleb Kositany
Currently the Member of Parliament for Soy, Caleb Kositany just recently officially declared his interest in the seat, after several months of murmurs that he was eyeing the seat.
Kositany is serving his first term as an MP, having unsuccessfully vied for the seat on numerous occasions.
Vescah Kangogo
Currently serving as the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in Nairobi, Vescah Kangogo is the only female politician that has declared interest in the gubernatorial seat.
David Sing’oei
Formerly an athlete before joining politics, Sing’oei is the current Member of County Assembly (MCA) representing Ng’enyilel Ward.
He has served as MCA for two terms.
Sing’oei is also the current Chief Whip at the Uasin Gishu County Assembly.
Cleophas Tirop
Not officially in the race but Tirop, a former Commissioner at the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is also among those said to be in the race to succeed Governor Mandago once his term comes to an end.
This is a list that will likely grow longer as the campaign period nears, and be sure to keep it here for an update of how the race unfolds.
Kositany will get the UDA ticket by all means