Sunkuli to face sibling in race for senate seat
Mr Andrew Sunkuli. Photo/FILE
What you need to know:
- Family endorsed younger Andrew to gun for the elective post angering Julius and his supporters
- This now means the brothers will face each other in the polls, an eventuality elders had been trying to avoid.
The race for the Narok County senate seat on Sunday took yet another twist when two groups of elders separately endorsed Kenya’s Ambassador to China Julius Sunkuli and his brother Andrew Sunkuli to run.
The move came days after their family endorsed Andrew, a move which appeared to have angered Julius’ supporters and led to Sunday’s meeting.
The former minister’s endorsement by a section of Moitanik clan elders was at Oloibor Soitoi Primary School in Kilgoris, whereas the declaration to support Andrew was at St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre, by a group that had stormed out with him when it appeared that the meeting had been called to reverse the earlier decision.
The elder Sunkuli’s bid was backed by officials of the Maasai Professionals group led by David ole Sankori while that of Andrew was backed by the Maasai Council of Elders led by chairman Kasaine ole Esho.
“Julius has been a minister and envoy. That makes him the better choice,” said Mr Sankori after the meeting as he led the elders in blaming Andrew Sunkuli for walking out of the meeting.
He said that the person qualified to be senator should be knowledgeable and experienced in leadership.
Mr Esho however said the family’s decision was paramount and that Julius had earlier committed himself to abide by the decision.
Attempts to reach Sunkuli were futile as Andrew accused his brother of bad faith.
“This is 360 degrees about turn. However, it does not bother me. Since I got our family’s blessings I will soldier on with my campaigns engaging voters directly.”
This now means the brothers will face each other in the polls, an eventuality elders had been trying to avoid.
If they both run, they will face former Narok South MP Stephen ole Ntutu.
Elder Ratik Kuyiana, secretary Ilkereshe Group Trust from the Siria community claimed that the family had made a mistake to decide for the clan and the community at large on who to contest.
He promised to have the brothers talk and decide and when elections come the voters would decide if they want one of them as senator.
