Kericho Kanu candidates tell Jubilee leaders to stop attacks on Gideon Moi

Kanu party leader and Baringo Senator Gideon Moi. The party's Kericho candidates have defended against attacks by Jubilee leaders. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Siele also told off those criticising Kanu for attempting to take back the Rift Valley politics to the single party era.
  • Independent candidates have also fired back at critics who, during the Sosiot rally, called them bitter losers.

Kanu candidates in Kericho have castigated their Jubilee counterparts for attacking their party leader, Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, for allegedly looking down upon Deputy President William Ruto.

Jubilee candidates, led by Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago and Nandi Senator Stephen Sang had on Sunday taunted the Baringo senator and Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto for challenging DP Ruto as the Rift Valley political kingpin.

The leaders, while championing for a six-piece voting pattern in the Jubilee strongholds, also asked the two to wait for their turn to be spokesmen.

But Tuesday, the Kanu team, led by Belgut MP candidate Raymond Cheruiyot and Londiani ward candidate Ben Siele wondered why the "junior" Jubilee brigade were wishing away the Kanu support yet President Uhuru Kenyatta has welcomed them.

ALL EQUAL

"The Rift Valley Jubilee [candidates] are not more equal than others. We stand shoulder to shoulder with them. They should therefore not try to dictate to the area residents whom they should vote or reject at the polls. Some of these [in] Jubilee brigade should [bear] in mind that are going home anyway," said Mr Cheruiyot.

Mr Siele also told off those criticising Kanu for attempting to take back the Rift Valley politics to the single party era.

At the same time, independent candidates, led by two MPs Benjamin Langat (Ainamoi) Eric Keter (Belgut), Kipsengerett, an independent candidate eying Soin/Sigowet MP’s seat and his competitor, Dr Wilson Soi, as well as Chaik ward candidate Mathew Korir, fired back at critics who, during the Sosiot rally, called them bitter losers.

JUBILEE DIEHARDS

"Some people think they are more Jubilee than others. The truth is since we started Jubilee, we have been diehards and others are just riding on the party to ascend to power," said Mr Langat.

"To prove that they are insincere, people like Mandago and Sudi support an independent candidate in Turbo Constituency, but in Kericho, they campaigned against us. Let Kericho people decide who their leaders are," he added.

Mr Koros, an outspoken Jubilee defender, said credible leaders like him were pushed out in the party primaries following an unfair nomination process.

"I am still a diehard supporter of the Jubilee administration despite being an independent candidate. Come August 8, let the people elect President Kenyatta at the top but have another chance to choose credible leaders at the ground even if independent," said the youthful candidate.