Mandago Urges North Rift Leaders to Focus on DP Ruto’s Campaign

Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago has challenged North Rift leaders to focus on Deputy President William Ruto’s campaign to help him clinch the top sit rather than fighting each other locally.

Speaking in Eldoret during the commissioning of a state-of-the-art Kimumu/Bahati market, Mandago said it is high time North Rift leaders concentrated on how to deliver 100 percent support for the DP’s presidential campaign.

He criticized some of the leaders in the region who have been going around telling residents how top government positions will be shared in Ruto’s government, yet others have not been considered when he wins the election.

“I am happy Devolution Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter is here. You were elected Senator first before being considered for a ministerial position, so those saying I should not vie for Senator because I will be given a CS post, I would rather be first elected Senator and if that position is available well and good,” Mandago said.

Keter was first elected Kericho Senator in 2013 before he was appointed to the Cabinet by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

“But then, we cannot be asking for the Presidency and at the same time want to be ministers, what will happen to other counties. We have many friends that when Ruto wins the Presidency, he will have to consider for some of these positions, it would be selfish of us to want the top seat and also other government appointments,” he added.

Mandago said it’s the resident’s mandate and democratic right to choose their preferred candidates in every position in the coming general election.

The governor has been engaging in exchange of words with Kapseret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi who had suggested he should shelve the Senate seat and campaign for Ruto so that after winning, he will be appointed Agriculture Cabinet Secretary.