COUNTY POLITICS: Why Stephen Sang showed dust to the competition in Nandi

Nandi Senator Stephen Sang is in line to become one of the youngest governor in the country after he pulled a major surprise by winning the Jubilee primaries in the county.

Aged 28 when he joined Senate in 2013, he was the youngest elected member of the House. Senator Sang, 32, was an ‘outsider’ in the contest for the county’s top seat but, as results trickled in late Monday, it became clear that he was headed for victory.

Analysts had predicted a tough battle pitting incumbent Governor Cleophas Lagat against former Cabinet minister Henry Kosgey and ex-Agriculture Cabinet secretary Felix Koskei.

Mr Sang’s youth had been cited as his biggest undoing as it was feared Nandi voters would be reluctant to vote one so young.

Some had also claimed that his closeness to Deputy President William Ruto could work against him, saying he was a ‘project’.

TOPPED IN NANDI HILLS

However, by the end of Tuesday, he had performed well in all the six constituencies. He topped in Nandi Hills, Emgwen, Tinderet, Aldai, Mosop and Chesumei.

Further, the senator beat all the other aspirants in their home constituencies in a showing that surprised many.

In Tinderet, Mr Kosgey’s home, for instance, Mr Sang got twice the votes the former minister got, polling 11,964 votes against Mr Kosgey’s 5,054.

By Tuesday evening, he had amassed 85,971 votes from five constituencies ahead of Mr Kosgey, who had 41,076. Mr Koskei had 26,641 as Dr Lagat trailed a distant fourth with 26,000.

The Senator declared his interest in the seat just four months ago, much later than Mr Kosgey and Mr Koskei.

POOR DEVELOPMENT

Mr Sang, a lawyer, had taken on the incumbent Governor Lagat, accusing him for the poor development of the county that prides itself as the “Source of (athletics) Champions”.

Many local analysts had predicted a close battle between Mr Kosgey and Dr Lagat, did not give the senator a chance.

According to political analysts in the region, Senator Sang is credited with playing an active role in the Senate, where he sponsored a number of Bills and has been eloquent in debates.

This could have attracted to most voters yearning for change. “As a senator, Mr Sang proved to be an articulate leader who played his role well but intrigues in gubernatorial race are a different ball game,” Mr Sylvester Talam, the Kenya National Union of Teachers Nandi Central branch chairman, said recently.

In 2013, Mr Sang surprised many when he clinched the URP ticket and won the senate seat.

He is credited with one of the first Bills in the Senate to become law, although it was declared illegal by a constitutional court.

RESOUNDING VICTORY

The law wanted to establish county development boards, but was fiercely opposed by governors but was easily passed by both Houses and assented to by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The senator has been vice-chairman of the Senate legal affairs and human rights committee, chaired by Busia Senator Amos Wako.

Last year, he was unanimously voted to join the House Speaker’s Panel after his Elgeyo-Marakwet counterpart Kipchumba Murkomen left to become Deputy Majority Leader.

After clinching the Jubilee gubernatorial ticket on Tuesday, Mr Sang said his first duty will be to bring everyone on board and ensure that development reaches wananchi.

His victory was so resounding that all other aspirants, including the incumbent conceded defeat.

FUTURE ELECTIONS

“The Nandi people are showing that we are coming of age and prospects for future elections look bright,” said Nandi Deputy Governor Kimutai Biwott.

“This is, indeed, a lesson and reminder to all political office holders to pursue people-oriented agendas at the grassroots to catalyse social and economic development.”

Mr Kosgey’s heavy defeat in the Jubilee primaries appears to spell an end to his political career.

Just last Saturday, he unveiled his manifesto, pegged on a seven-point plan.

These were enhancement of equity, agricultural development, revitalising the county’s economy, ensuring quality and accessible healthcare, empowerment of women, youth and infrastructural development.

“The importance of good governance cannot be gainsaid,” said Mr Kosgey then. “We will put in place a strong government devoid of corruption, nepotism and favouritism and endeavour to enhance service delivery to all the citizens of Nandi County.

SEVEN-POINT AGENDA

“Today, I launch a seven-point agenda for our people.”

Served in Moi, Kibaki regimes

Mr Kosgey served in the Moi and Kibaki regimes in various portfolios — including transport and communications, co-operative development, culture and social services, environment, tourism, science and technology, education and industrialisation.

He was elected to Parliament in 1979 following the detention without trial by Daniel Moi of the valiant Kanu critic Jean-Marie Seroney.

As Speaker of the House, Mr Seroney said there was no need to substantiate the obvious — that Kanu was dead.

During his tenure as a minister, the locals credited Mr Kosgey, 69, with securing employment for youth and infrastructure especially in his Tinderet Constituency.

That seemed to have worked for him as he served for more than 20 years as MP before he lost the senatorial race in 2013.