Kanu plays down JAP’s win in poll

Kanu has promised the Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) a bruising political duel in next year’s General Election after the two parties ran close in last week’s Lelmokwo/Ng’echek ward by-election in Nandi County which Jubilee won.

JAP’s Julius Kipkosgei Arusei garnered 3,243 votes to be declared the winner against his closest challenger Ezekiel Kipkorir Leley of Kanu who garnered 2,010 votes.
Chama Cha Mashinani’s (CCM) candidate Elphas Kimego came a distant third with a paltry 40 votes.

Kanu’s Elgeyo-Marakwet County chairman Paul Kibet yesterday said the independence party put on a brave face “despite the intimidation and bribery” from their Jubilee rivals during last Friday’s mini poll.

“Jubilee is very worried about our growing influence in the region and they concentrated on silencing our candidate.

“They (Jubilee) should not celebrate but count their losses on the money they used to influence the voters,” said Mr Kibet.

He claimed that a former powerful MP from the region was carrying money in his car and dishing it out to the public, a claim Jubilee denied.

Nandi County Senator Stephen Sang, who was at the forefront in campaigning for the Jubilee candidate, dismissed the bribery claims, arguing that Kanu sensed defeat early and started employing diversionary tactics.

“When we held strategy meetings on our party issues, they claimed we were planning to rig. They knew we would win the poll by a landslide,” said Mr Sang after the IEBC declared the Jubilee candidate the winner.

Chaos almost erupted at Mosoriot Catholic Church grounds, where the votes were being tallied after Jubilee supporters  became impatient over what they termed the slow pace of the counting.

The Jubilee victory is being viewed as yet another win for Deputy President William Ruto who has been grappling with a mounting Kanu wave in his backyard.

Mr Sang and Nandi Deputy Governor Dominic Biwott lauded the voters for backing the Jubilee candidate.

“Thanks for voting for us peacefully. Thanks for delivering the votes to our Deputy President,” Mr Sang told the residents.

The seat fell vacant following the death of Mr Hesbon Metto in February after battling diabetes and blood pressure. He was Nandi County Assembly Deputy Speaker.

Kanu was seeking to use the mini poll to maintain the momentum of its re-awakening in the Rift Valley and across