Youthful aspirants vow to end Zakayo Cheruiyot's era as MP

Deputy President William Ruto (left) and Kuresoi MP Zakayo Cheruiyot at a past function. The MP and the DP's relationship has been strained after the dissolution of URP. FILE | PHOTO

What you need to know:

  • Residents, however, say the bad blood between ZK and the government has seen the area miss out on key appointments to State corporations.
  • The constituency is home to some of the world top athletes, including the 2017 1,500m Olympics gold medalist Faith Chepng’etich.

Kuresoi South MP Zakayo Cheruiyot is facing stiff opposition from youthful aspirants as he seeks to retain the seat for a third time in the forthcoming polls.

Popularly known as ZK, the MP was, between 1997 and 2003, a powerful Internal Security PS during retired President Daniel arap Moi’s regime.

While he has enjoyed overwhelming support from majority of his constituents during the last two elections, this time the circumstances are expected to be different.

The legislator is bracing for a major battle with about 10 aspirants – some as young as his sons and they are determined to send him to political retirement.

They include a security expert and son of an MP, a lecturer, a trade unionist as well as an information technology expert, all who are in agreement that Mr Cheruiyot’s time as Kuresoi South representative is up.

While majority of the aspirants are hoping to clinch either the Jubilee Party or Kanu ticket, the 63–year–old seasoned politician has kept residents guessing on which party he will seek his re-election on.

While he has publicly been seen leaning towards Governor Isaac Ruto’s Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM), Mr Cheruiyot has, however, not officially declared which political vehicle he will use to retain the seat.

Apart from CCM, analysts believe that he may consider using independence party Kanu, which still has a huge following in the Rift Valley region.

However, his choice of the party ticket has been complicated further after Kanu announced it would throw its weight behind President Kenyatta’s re-election.

ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE
Mr Cheruiyot is among a group of politicians from the vote-rich Rift Valley who have openly defied and criticised Deputy President William Ruto for presiding over the death of the United Republican Party.

This was after it folded, with other political outfits, leading to the establishment of the Jubilee Party.

The wealthy politician, it is believed, was one of the top financiers of the defunct political party in 2012, perhaps explaining why he appears bitter with the DP.

Residents, however, say the bad blood between ZK and the government has seen the area miss out on key appointments to State corporations.

Leading the onslaught against Mr Cheruiyot is Dr Peter Ketyenya Ruto, 38, who is entering the murky waters of politics for the first time.

Top of his agenda is improvement of dilapidated infrastructure in the constituency.

This, he says, has reduced the agriculture rich region into a poverty basket as residents are not able to access markets easily, especially during the rainy seasons.

Kuresoi is endowed with good rainfall almost throughout the year as it sits on the edge of the Mau Forest.

But farmers are not able to transport their produce, mostly potatoes and milk to the market.

The constituency has also faced serious challenges in the education sector as most primary schools are made of timber despite receiving millions of shillings from the Constituency Development Fund.

The constituency is home to some of the world top athletes, including the 2017 1,500m Olympics gold medalist Faith Chepng’etich.

Most of its sporting facilities, including the stalled Sh300 million Olenguruone stadium have, however, been neglected and are in bad shape.

“Sports is a big industry that could alleviate poverty in this region if it is given top priority,” says Dr Ketyenya, who is also a Finance and Economics lecturer at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa.

THE YOUTH AGENDA
The don says he will use his 15 years working experience at National Hospital Insurance Fund, the Kenya Forest Service and the Kenya Rural Roads Authority as General Manager of Finance to bring meaningful changes in the health and agriculture sectors, which are the main economic pillars in the area.

Mr Bruce Chitalu, a security expert who hails from Kiptagich Ward, is also making a debut in politics and says he is the best placed person to send ZK home.

He is the most youthful candidate at 30 and son of Chepalungu MP Paul Kipchirchir Bii. He will vie for the seat on a Kanu ticket.

Mr Chitalu, a former Presidential Escort Unit officer, rose to the rank of an Inspector before he quit to join parliament as a security officer.

He says the youth have been given a raw deal in government especially in tenders, yet they comprise 70 per cent of the population in the country.

He claims the sitting MP was not active in Parliament, according to Hansard reports, and what he talks about on the floor of the House has no benefit to the youth of Kuresoi South.

He says he will prioritise the construction of polytechnics and sporting facilities pointing out that the present facilities are ill-equipped and others are in pathetic condition.

“I will also spearhead mentorship programmes across the board from boda boda that would translate into economic empowerment,” says Chitalu.

Mr Dennis Koech, who also hails from Kiptagich Ward, has also thrown his hat in the ring.

“Kuresoi has serious opportunity in farming but land issues are a major challenge as three quarters of the residents have no title deeds and cannot access loans from banks,” says Mr Koech.

He says when the members of the Kikuyu community were evicted from Chepakundi and taken to Kapsita, the matter was not fully resolved.

BUSINESS TIPS
This is because members of the Kalenjin community at Chepakundi were not compensated.

The aspirant says he hopes to pursue the matter in a bid to ensure peace prevails.

Other issues he intends to tackle is lack of water and helping farmers form cooperative societies to access market for their produce and reduce the number of brokers who exploit milk and potato farmers.

Another candidate is Israel-trained IT expert, Mr Joseph Ruto, 50, popularly known as ‘Digital’ who hails from Amalo ward.

“I want to become the next MP of Kuresoi South because I want to economically empower our youth since the current leadership has only focused on social empowerment,” says Mr Ruto who is making a first attempt in the race.

Top on his agenda is helping the youth by equipping them with the latest business tips to make sure they make good use of their talents and get access to cheap loans.

Mr Simon Kiprono Sang, 59, who is the Dock Workers Union official popularly known as “Manifesto”, who narrowly lost to ZK is optimistic of capturing the seat.

“I have the best manifesto which is going to change the lives of Kuresoi South permanently and spur development which has been lacking for the last 15 years,” Mr Sang said.