City businessman trounces big names to clinch JAP ticket

Nairobi businessman Aaron Cheruiyot, who won the Jubilee Alliance Party's nomination for the Kericho senatorial by-election on January 17, 2016. Mr Cheruiyot defeated several aspirants who had enormous political clout and resources. PHOTO | TIMOTHY KEMEI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Aspirants all accepted the result and pledged to support Mr Cheruiyot and ensure that Jubilee retains the seat.

  • Mr Aaron Cheruiyot garnered 17,565 votes to beat former Roads minister Franklin Bett, former assistant minister Magerer Langat and former NHC chairman Sammy Chepkwony.

A Nairobi businessman on Sunday defeated experienced politicians to win the Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) ticket and become the party’s candidate for the March 7 senatorial by-election.

Mr Aaron Cheruiyot, 30, who was making his first attempt at elective politics, garnered 17,565 votes to beat former Roads minister Franklin Bett, former Energy assistant minister Magerer Langat and former National Housing Corporation chairman Sammy Chepkwony.

Mr Bett got 16,914 votes, followed by Mr Langat with 14,059 and Mr Chepkwony with 12,588.

JAP supporters cast their votes on Saturday and after 12 hours of counting, party Secretary-General Veronica Maina announced at 4am on Sunday that Mr Cheruiyot was the winner.

He is now waiting for other parties to nominate their candidates to know who his opponent will in the by-election.

SURPRISE VICTORY

The seat fell vacant after Mr Charles Keter was appointed the Cabinet secretary for Energy.

Mr Cheruiyot’s victory came as a surprise to many because he was running against aspirants who were believed to have enormous political clout and resources.

“I am honoured that the people of Kericho have entrusted me with the Jubilee ticket despite my young age,” he said in his victory speech after receiving the party’s nomination certificate.

“I promise not to disappoint them during the election and I welcome my fellow aspirants to join me.”

The other candidates all accepted the results and pledged to support Mr Cheruiyot and ensure that Jubilee retains the seat.

Mrs Maina led a delegation of leaders of JAP affiliate parties during the nomination, whose final results were declared at the Kericho Teachers Training College.

Among those present were JAP Executive Director Nickson Korir and the Director of Elections Aden Noor Ali, who was also the returning officer.

In Ainamoi constituency, Mr Chepkwony garnered 2,828 votes out of the 9,117 cast. He was followed by Mr Cheruiyot, who received 2,447 votes, Mr Langat (2,073), Mr Bett (1,506), Mr Festus Kirui Mautor (183) and Mr Joel Kirui (80).

Mr Cheruiyot also took a commanding lead in Belgut constituency, his home area, garnering 5,365 votes and opening a huge gap between him and second-placed Chepkwony, who managed 1,922 votes. Mr Bett came third with 1,558 votes, followed by Mr Joel Kirui (725), Mr Magerer (357) and Mr Mautor (101).

WINNING STREAK

Mr Cheruiyot extended his winning streak with another victory in Sigowet/Soin constituency, where he received 3,211 votes, followed by Mr Chepkwony with 2,000 and Mr Bett with 1,469. Mr Langat and Mr Kirui had 1,069 and 425 votes respectively while Mr Mautor had 217.

Mr Magerer came tops in Kipkelion West constituency, where he received 6,578 votes, followed by Mr Chepkwony (2,531) and Mr Bett (820), Mr Cheruiyot (499), Mr Kirui (165) and Mr Mautor (49).

At this stage, with results from only two constituencies yet to be tallied, Mr Cheruiyot was leading the pack with 11,522 votes, followed by Mr Langat (10,077), Mr Chepkwony (9,281), Mr Bett (5,353), Mr Kirui (1,395) and Mr Mautor (550).

In Kipkelion East constituency, Mr Chepkwony emerged top again with 4,523, followed by Mr Magerer (2,507), Mr Bett (1343), Mr Cheruiyot (1,280), Mr Kirui (534) and Mr Mautor (75).