Uasin Gishu gubernatorial aspirant Jonathan Bii – Chelilim has cautioned any aspirant against attempts to rig the upcoming United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party primaries.
Bii notes that he expects UDA to hold a free and fair nomination process, where the will of the people will prevail.
Speaking during a mega rally at Bahati grounds in Kimumu ward on Sunday, Jonathan Bii expressed concerns that there were some individuals in the Uasin Gishu gubernatorial race who are not campaigning in hope that they will rig the nomination.
“Mambo ya kaunti sisi wenyewe tujipange. Na tumeambia UDA ambayo tiketi yangu itatokea pale kwamba tunataka free and fair nomination,” said the gubernatorial aspirant, popularly reffered to as Koti Moja.
“Wale wanajipanga ati hawaombi kura, hawatembei na wanataka kiti ya ugavana na wanasema huyu mtu wa koti moja tutanyang’anya yeye. Tunawaambia wasijaribu na wasitubutu,” he added.
This is loosely translated as “those saying they will not ask for votes, they don’t want to campaign yet they are looking for this seat saying this man with one coat we will snatch a ticket from him, we are telling them not to dare”.
Jonathan Bii Chelilim however expressed optimism that the party primaries and the August 9 poll will be peaceful.
He affirmed that despite Uasin Gishu being a cosmopolitan county, they have all agreed to live together in peace and harmony.
“We want to show the whole world that Uasin Gishu will be the most peaceful county. Those thinking we are people that will cause chaos and destroy property during nominations and elections, we want to tell them that will never happen,” noted Bii.
The Uasin Gishu gubernatorial seat has attracted at least 8 aspirants, most of who are seeking the UDA ticket.
Aside from Jonathan Bii Chelilim, others are Soy Member of Parliament Caleb Kositany, former Kenyan ambassadors Prof Julius Bitok (Pakistan), and Sarah Serem (China), the current Ng’enyilel Member of County Assembly (MCA) David Sing’oei, former Nairobi County Executive Committee Member (CECM) Veska Kangogo, Solomon Kiptarbei Maritim alias Gavana wa Baiskeli and former Kenya Re boss David Kemei Kaprotook – all vying on a UDA ticket.
Billionaire businessman Bundotich Zedekiah Kiprop alias Buzeki is also in the race and will be vying as an independent candidate.
