Kones denies claims he is 'project' to ruin Laboso's governorship plan

Former Konoin MP Julius Kones at Parliament on September 16, 2010. He wants to be the next Bomet County governor. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Dr Kones and Dr Laboso will be gunning for the Jubilee ticket in party primaries to be held mid-April.
  • The incumbent, Isaac Ruto, will seek re-election through his Chama Cha Mashinani party.

An aspirant for the Bomet governorship has dismissed claims that he is being funded to scuttle Sotik MP and Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso's chances of winning the seat.

National Water Conservation and Pipeline Corporation (NWCPC) chairman Julius Kones said the accusations by Konoin MP Sammy Koech are false.

In an interview in Kericho Town on Wednesday, Mr Kones said he is his own man and that his rivals are intimidated by his "growing" popularity.

“I am nobody’s project as claimed by some people. It is becoming clearer by the day that some people are in panic mode....Dr Laboso’s camp is only waking up to the reality that I am the stronger candidate,” he said.

Dr Kones and Dr Laboso will be gunning for the Jubilee ticket in party primaries to be held in mid-April.

The incumbent, Isaac Ruto, will seek re-election through his Chama Cha Mashinani party.

The former Konoin MP said because he came second to Mr Ruto in the 2013 General Election, he is the only one who has a high chance of trouncing the incumbent.

He also said he will resign as NWCPC chairman next month and launch his campaign, urging residents to back him.

"I wish to thank President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto for entrusting me with the leadership of NWCPC.

"I am now prepared to stand aside next month so that I can focus my energies and time on clinching the governorship of Bomet County," he said.