Tough battle in Nandi as heavyweights join race for governorship

The entry of veteran politician Henry Kosgey into the race for Nandi’s top job has raised political temperatures in the North Rift county known for high-octane politics.

Mr Kosgey joins ex-Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture Felix Koskei and former High Commissioner to Australia Stephen Tarus, who have for the last one year been campaigning to unseat the incumbent, Dr Cleophas Lagat, in the fight for Nandi’s top job.

Mr Kosgey and Mr Koskei have been holding “secret” meetings and attending fund drives.

The three will be angling for the Jubilee Party ticket, which enjoys popular support in the region.

Mr Kosgey first joined Parliament in 1979 following the detention of Jean-Marie Seroney and served nearly all his time in the House as Cabinet Minister.

Mr Kosgey ran for the Nandi senator’s seat in 2013 General Election on an ODM ticket but lost to Stephen Sang, who sailed through on a United Republican Party (URP) ticket.

His son, Mr Alex Kosgey, was elected Emgwen MP on a URP ticket.

Mr Kosgey was among six prominent Kenyans charged with crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court in relation to the 2007/08 post-election violence that claimed over 1,000 lives and displaced thousands of families.

He was cleared of the charges along with former police Inspector General Hussein Ali and former public service head Francis Muthaura.

Mr Kosgey kept a low political profile after stepping down as ODM chairman but recently made political comeback by declaring his interest for the governor’s seat.

He is riding on his development record when he was MP and Cabinet minister.

“Political experience, coupled with financial muscle, and massive network he built over the years, could work for Mr Kosgey,” argued Joshua Lang’at a local political pundit.

WIDE NETWORK

A generous contributor in fundraisers, Mr Kosgey is known to have a wide network, having touched nearly every family through fundraisings and job openings during his time as minister spanning nearly three decades.

His recent appointment to the chairmanship of the Tourism Trust Fund also gives him an edge.

His critics, however, accuse him of surrounding himself with arrogant cronies and isolating the youth.

Mr Koskei, on his part, has been rallying the Kalenjin community to support the yet to be launched Jubilee Party “in order to remain relevant in government”.

Mr Koskei, the former Agriculture CS, says he is running to “unlock the development potential of the county.”

He has been attending key functions across the county.

 Mr Koskei was forced to step aside as Agriculture CS after President Uhuru Kenyatta named him in the infamous “List of Shame”’ last year in April which accused several State officials of corruption.

He was later cleared of any wrongdoing by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.

“My plan is to empower dairy farmers through provision of free artificial insemination services and support other economic sectors in the county to improve standards of livelihoods,” says Mr Koskei of his agenda.

Nandi politics revolves around agriculture.

He also runs the Chalan Foundation that supports bright school children from disadvantaged backgrounds to access education, which could also give him a boost.

“As much as Mr Koskei has tried to say he is a capable leader, he needs to develop a better approach to the electorate. He is elitist and you have to reach him through proxies,” says Ms Sally Tanui, a resident of Kosirai.

His Kipsigis origin could also disadvantage him in a Nandi turf.

Mr Silas Kipruto, a commercial law expert with a vast experience in public finance management, has also entered the race.

His key priorities include affordable education, improved infrastructure, improved market for agricultural produce and public participation in implementation of development projects.

TO PLAN

Governor Lagat and some Members of the Nandi County Assembly have held a series of meetings to plan his re-election.

He has also sought to clean up his government by sacking corrupt officials to shore up his record, which has sometimes been dented by what critics called misplaced priorities.

MCAs early this year rejected Sh20 million vote for Sh35 million gate to separate Nandi from the neighbouring Uasin Gishu County in what political analysts view as litmus test for Governor Lagat ahead of the 2017 General elections.

The MCAs’ action is likely to complicate the long drawn power struggle pitting Governor Lagat, Senator Stephen Sang and Mr Tarus.

Mr Tarus, the former Emgwen MP, lost to Dr Lagat for the gubernatorial position in the last elections.

But Governor Lagat has come out fighting, criticising the former diplomat of working with the Opposition to bring down his government.

“I want to ask the envoy to hold his political cards until 2017 General Election,” said Dr Lagat, who read as political mischief previous demonstrations held against his government.

He has dismissed claims of financial misappropriation and nepotism in employment at the county.

Governor Lagat, who has exuded confidence about retaining his position, banks on provision of piped water to many homesteads, revival of stalled cattle dips, and improved infrastructure.

“My administration has improved provision of health services with the hiring of 400 health workers and supply of drugs in the 197 health centres,” said Dr Lagat.

The sentiments are echoed by his supporters who have been campaigning to have him re-elected.

But his critics accuse him of unfulfilled pledges and lack of interaction with the electorate.

“The governor has been surrounded by cronies making it difficult to access him to discuss development issues. Most of his pledges remain unfulfilled and he is always out of office,” said Noah Kipsang from Chepsonoi.

Like in other Jubilee strongholds, the Jubilee Party nomination in Nandi is expected to be hotly contested than the election proper.