Cheboi declines to join Kanu, says Baringo is Jubilee zone

Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi has said the region is a Jubilee Alliance Party zone contrary to claims that it was Kanu’s home turf.

The governor played down calls to have him vie for a second term using Senator Gideon Moi-led party saying it would be an abuse to the ruling party which housed Kanu when it lost direction in 2013.

He spoke in Mochongoi Primary School, Baringo South, during the homecoming party for the first ever professor (Sternly Rotich) in the Endorois minority sub tribe of Tugen, Kalenjin community.

“I will defend my seat using Jubilee ticket and not Kanu. The ruling party welcomed Kanu in 2013 and they have been saying we are in Jubilee. But if they now want to go their separate ways, we will work separately and we shall see the outcome after the elections,” said Mr Cheboi.

He was responding to calls by Kanu Secretary General Nick Salat who had asked him to jump ship to Kanu.

“Governor Cheboi, you are a very good man, but make sure you join me here. Kanu is coming up very strongly and you should consider vying using our ticket,” said Mr Salat.

However, some Baringo residents say the exit of Mogotio MP Hellen Sambili from Kanu was an indication that the independence party was not popular.

Mr Cheboi and Mr Salat at the same time called on the government to ensure that the next electoral commission would deliver free and fair polls.

They said although there was pressure to have a new team take over office soon, it was important to ensure that it is formidable.

“We do not want a repeat of the 2007/2008 post poll chaos. Moving from one part of the country to the other was a big headache and our economy collapsed. Let us put in measures that ensure we will have a peaceful election,” said Mr Cheboi.

Mr Salat said the voter register needs to be audited to get rid of ‘ghost voters’ and enlist those who have not attained the age of 18

“Let IEBC register new voters without favouring some regions which are considered government strongholds,” said Mr Salat.

He further opposed the push to have nominations for all parties done in a single day.

“The constitution is very clear, all parties are not the same and not all the nominations will be funded by the government. Therefore, forcing them to do nominations the same day is like opening a pandora's box,” said the Kanu secretary general.

“Let each party prepare themselves in their own pace for the next elections, there should be no limit or legislations towards how all parties prepare,” he said.