Koros warns of plot to impose Jubilee candidate in Kajiado

Former Kenya Meat Commission chairman Taraiya ole Kores, who is vying for the Kajiado governorship, has fired a warning shot at the Jubilee Party’s national leadership against any favouritism during nominations.

Mr Kores claimed there is a plot to impose “unpopular candidates on the people of Kajiado”.

“There are some people who are meeting in hotels and boardrooms in Nairobi to decide who is going to represent the people of Kajiado. We shall not accept that,” said Mr Ole Kores.

“I am urging (President) Uhuru (Kenyatta) not to allow such things. They will lead to the party’s downfall,” he added.

Mr Kores was addressing a political rally at Oloirien in Kajiado West where deputy county Speaker George Ole Sunkuiya was launching his bid for the constituency’s seat, currently held by Moses ole Sakuda.

BATTLE WITH LENKU

Mr Kores is currently tied in a fierce contest for the Jubilee governor’s ticket with former Interior Cabinet secretary Joseph ole Lenku.

There has been talk in Jubilee circles that State House has prevailed upon Mr Kores to stand down in favour of Mr Lenku because of concerns about the former's academic credentials.

In 2013, Mr Koros, who was the most favoured candidate to clinch the Kajiado governor’s seat, was barred from contesting when the High Court found that his academic papers were not in order.

The seat is currently held by David Nkedianye of ODM.

The issue of Mr Kores’s academic qualifications was raised by Onesmus Ngogoyo, the majority chief whip at the Kajiado County Assembly, who said he had withdrawn his support for the former KMC chairman.

QUALIFICATIONS

“Mr Ole Kores is my friend, but I have told him that I do not support him as I do not want to fail like we failed in 2013,” he said in reference to the aspirant's academic qualifications.

Mr Ngogoyo, the Olkeri MCA, and nominated MCA Leah Sankaire were the only speakers who openly defied Mr Kores, who was sitting at the VIP tent.

When he rose to speak, Mr Kores accused Mr Ngogoyo and Mr Lenku of spreading “malicious rumours” about his academic qualifications.

“Do not listen to the rumours. My papers are in order. Rest assured that my name will be on the ballot paper,” said Mr Kores, who obtained a degree in development studies from Mount Kenya University in July 2016.

Kajiado Senator Peter Mositet, who is supporting Mr Kores, said it is only Mount Kenya University that can authenticate Mr Kores’s academic papers and not his political opponents.

There are fears in Jubilee circles that if the gubernatorial contestants do not put their house in order, Dr Nkedianye will easily retain the governor’s seat.

Dr Nkedianye was on Monday among politicians handed a direct nomination by ODM party leader Raila Odinga.