COUNTY POLITICS: Kimaiyo's entry complicates senatorial race in Elgeyo-Marakwet
For most counties in the Rift Valley region, the Senate seat has been left to newcomers in politics. But the situation is different in Elgeyo-Marakwet.
The seat has interestingly attracted some influential individuals not only in the region, but in the country as well, making it one of the hotly-contested seats in the region.
It was initially thought that the incumbent - Senator Kipchumba Murkomen – would easily defend his seat. However, matters have been complicated with the entry of former Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo to the contest.
Mr Kimaiyo announced his intentions last year after he resigned from the National Police Service following mounting pressure from Jubilee bigwigs. Since his declaration, there has been a flurry of activities in the region as the two sell their candidature.
Mr Kimaiyo will be vying on a Kanu ticket and has already received the blessings of the party leader Gideon Moi, who attended his launch in Iten last month.
Mr Murkomen on the other hand is banking on his association with Deputy President (DP) William Ruto, who still enjoys considerable support in the region, to be re-elected on Jubilee ticket. The two are Marakwets and hail from the same location.
Other aspirants for the seat are university lecturer Joel Kibos, businessmen Barnabas Boit, John Kangogo, Mathew Murgor and Michael Kibiwott Murefu.
ALEX TOLGOS
All these are Keiyos who say they deserve to be given the senatorial seat because the governor’s seat was won by Alex Tolgos, a Marakwet in the 2013 General Election. Mr Tolgos is also seeking re-election in the August 8 polls.
Regardless of accusations ranging from poor representation, unrewarding sycophancy in government to myriad of integrity woes surrounding his involvement in the National Youth Service scandal, Mr Murkomen has continued to attract a good following although his opponents say this might not translate to votes.
All the other aspirants have maintained that Mr Murkomen failed to represent the county as required of a senator, accusing him of playing sycophancy politics instead of discharging the mandate to represent, oversight and legislate.
Speaking to the Nation, the four aspirants seeking the Jubilee ticket have expressed confidence that the primaries scheduled for April would be free and fair. Mr Murkomen has remained confident of winning the Jubilee nominations in April and the August elections.
In his rallies, the senator is relying on his development record to boost his re-election. He has also been prominent in the push for peace in the volatile Kerio Valley.
Speaking in Kapkoi in Keiyo recently, Mr murkomen took credit for tarmacking of Nyaru-Iten Road, which he said was at the implementation stage.
'A WIFE'
“Do you think the Chinese contractor you see on the site setting base with company equipment at Chororget is here on a mission looking for a wife for himself? These Chinese are here to undertake work on this road,” said Mr Murkomen.
His greatest undoing, however, has been his failure to help address the incessant insecurity in the region given his closeness to the country’s top leadership.
Most of his critics accuse him of flying too much and being out of touch with what the locals face.
The banditry attacks carried out by suspected Pokots has claimed at least 50 lives, mostly Marakwets with property worth millions of shillings destroyed and hundreds displaced in the last four months alone.
His challengers say the senator could have pushed the government more to protect the people who fully voted for him in 2013. But the senator has hit back saying he had done the best he could.
“We now appreciate the government’s intervention and specifically we thank the DP who took it upon himself to oversee the security operations in Kerio Valley,” said Murkomen, who was himself once chased away from a security meeting in Kerio valley last year.
BETTER ALTERNATIVE
But Kimaiyo has already positioned himself as the better alternative. He remains a popular entrant and is viewed by some as the suitable replacement for Murkomen owing to his track record in the civil service and considered a man of integrity.
When hounded out of government, the former IG linked political forces to his troubled stint at Vigilance House. He has used that to boost his political image although some still think his soft mien might not be fit for politics.
“My record speaks for itself. I believe I was a victim of political witch-hunt but if elected I will protect the interests of all against injustices and conspiracy by individuals who want to curtail their services,” said the former IG when he declared his interest for the seat.
The race will be determined by what the two key Kalenjin subtribes—Keiyo and Marakwet—agree on although negotiated democracy did not work last time.
Both Mr Kimaiyo and Mr Murkomen and Governor Tolgos all hail from the Marakwet community and this time round the Keiyo might demand that the Senate seat be given tt them and the governor’s remain with Marakwet or vice-versa.
