The 2016 Kericho senatorial by-election served as a litmus test for which party has strong support from the Rift Valley residents between the Jubilee and the KANU.
This is after the two parties fielded candidates in the race and engaged in heated and highly oiled political campaigns.
Baringo Senator Gideon Moi led his party on campaigning for veteran politician Paul Sang while Deputy President William Ruto led his team in campaigning for the youthful Aaron Cheruiyot who later won the seat by a landslide.
During the by-election which was termed as a duel between DP Ruto and Senator Moi, some of the Jubilee leaders opted to campaign for the KANU candidate.
They however later deserted the Baringo Senator and returned to Ruto’s camp.
These were;
Isaac Ruto
He was then the governor of Bomet. The Chama cha Mashinani party leader massively supported the KANU candidate and became a strong critic of DP Ruto. However, the former governor seems to have realized his mistake after losing his gubernatorial seat in 2017 and has promised to work with his political nemesis DP Ruto ahead of 2022 presidential race.
Oscar Sudi
The Kapseret legislator together with his Nandi Hils counterpart Alfred Keter was seen in the KANU’s campaign trail several times. After the KANU candidate lost, Sudi returned to his political home and a since been a strong supporter of Ruto’s 2022 presidential bid. The vocal MP has since then been criticizing Baringo Senator while dismissing his presidential bid.
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