Jubilee suffers blow in DP’s backyard

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto campaigns for the Peoples Patriotic Party of Kenya candidate Andrew Maritim as the Nyangores ward rep at Kapkesosio Primary School, in Chepalungu Sub County, on February 12, 2016. Mr Maritim won the election. PHOTO | GEOFFREY RONO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • In Masongaleni Ward, Wiper candidate Philip Kisangai won with 1,952, Florence Kasiku of The Independence Party (Tip) secured 1,239 votes, Muungano's Dominic Mutote had 1,036 votes.

The Jubilee Alliance Party was on Friday dealt a blow in Deputy President William Ruto’s backyard after it failed to win the Nyangores Ward by-election in Bomet County.

People’s Patriotic Party of Kenya (PPK) candidate Andrew Maritim, with the backing of Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, won with 4,853 votes against Richard Kipkorir's (JAP) 2,314 and Benard Terer's 56 votes, he represents CCP.

Turn out stood at 71%.

The win by the PPK’s candidate is a blow to the Deputy President, who has been involved in power struggles with the Bomet governor, especially after the latter declined to support JAP.

JAP is the party Mr Ruto and President Uhuru Kenyatta will be seeking re-election in 2017. The leaders have been urging former members of the URP and the President’s TNA to join the new vehicle to consolidate nationwide support and boost their chances of being re-elected.

In Masongaleni Ward, Wiper candidate Philip Kisangai won with 1,952, Florence Kasiku of The Independence Party (Tip) secured 1,239 votes, Muungano's Dominic Mutote had 1,036 votes, Richard Kasyoki of CCU garnered 894 votes and LPK's Charles Kioko trailed with 205 votes.

Additional reporting by John Njagi