For months, political chatter across Uasin Gishu County pointed to a predictable, high-stakes duel.
On one side stood the incumbent governor, Jonathan Bii Chelilim, popularly known as Koti Moja, leaning on the advantages of power, grassroots mobilisation, and his Nguzo Kumi agenda. On the other side was Tourism Principal Secretary Prof. Julius Bitok, a seasoned public servant whose administrative track record and high-profile government stature made him a formidable heavyweight contender.
To pundits and political commentators, the battle for the heart of the North Rift’s economic hub was strictly a two-horse race. Then came Willy Kenei.
Refusing to fit the mould of a traditional politician, Kenei, a prominent business leader and Uasin Gishu chairman of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), stepped into the arena, disrupting the status quo.
From the urban hubs of Eldoret City to the quiet rural villages of Kapseret, Turbo, Moiben, and Kesses, Kenei began traversing every corner of the county.
What is Willy Kenei’s agenda for Uasin Gishu?
Rather than selling standard political rhetoric, Kenei brought a distinct, boardroom-style message to the ground: Uasin Gishu no longer needs a typical politician; it needs a CEO governor.
Drawing on his background in trade, private sector growth, and his pivotal role in guiding Eldoret’s elevation to city status, Kenei presents himself as the pragmatic manager capable of unlocking the county’s economic engine.
In village halls, trade centres, and town hall meetings with teachers, content creators, and farmers, his pitch remains focused on service delivery, financial accountability, and structural investment.
Wherever he goes, his rally cry echoes clearly: “Dawa ya Uasin Gishu” (The Medicine for Uasin Gishu).
He frames his vision not as a list of grand promises, but as a direct prescription for the county’s ailments, targeting youth unemployment through talent academies, fostering industrial growth via the Eldoret EPZ, and improving public services.
By positioning himself as the business-minded problem solver who can bridge government and private enterprise, Willy Kenei has turned a once-settled two-horse narrative into an open, dynamic race, forcing both the incumbent and the heavyweight challenger to take notice.
