Moiben Member of Parliament Silas Tiren has announced that he will be seeking reelection in the upcoming general election as an independent candidate.
Tiren has been among a number of politicians in the North Rift region that the UDA brigade has been asking voters to reject.
This is based on claims that the politicians are against Deputy President William Ruto.
Speaking at RCEA Livingstone Church, Sergoit ward, the Moiben MP said he has opted to vie as an independent candidate based on previous experience with parties during nominations.
“I have had challenges previously with my parties. I was a victim in 2013 where they tried to deny me a certificate and I had to push hard to get it, the same thing happened in 2017 and with the law curtailing party hopping, I thought it good to go as an independent candidate,” said Silas Tiren.
The MP was first elected in 2013 on a United Republican Party (URP) ticket and won re-election in 2017 on a Jubilee ticket.
He has however been seen as a rebel among DP Ruto circles, having sided with the ‘Kieleweke’ faction of the Jubilee party during the purge that saw several ‘Tangatanga’ MPs removed from influential positions in Parliament.
Tiren admits that it might be hard for some of the voters to understand his decision but he has promised to explain it in detail.
“Najua ni ngumu. Watu wanauliza maswali ni ngumu lakini nitakuja ku explain,” Tiren told the worshippers.
The legislator is however optimistic that the Moiben people will give him another term.
He is banking on his development record to win re-election as an independent candidate, even though Uasin Gishu is perceived to be dominated by UDA.
“Nia yangu ni kubadilisha na Kusaidia watu wa Moiben. Nitakuja na sera zangu, kazi nimefanya na uamuzi itakua ni nyinyi – ile mtakua mumeamua tutawaheshimu,” said Tiren loosly translated as “My vision is to change and help Moiben people. I will come with my agenda, the work I have done, and the decision will be on you. Whatever you will decide, we will respect it.”
Also Read: Moiben MP Silas Tiren Hits Out at UDA Politicians for Profiling Him as Anti-Ruto
Silas Tiren’s decision throws the race for UDA ticket in the constituency wide open.
