Towards the run-up to last year’s general elections, there was a fierce battle pitting Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandago and businessman Zedekiah Bundotich alias Buzeki.
At the time, two other Jubilee Party candidates, Alfred Keter and Oscar Sudi teamed up with Mandago to accuse certain people of supporting Buzeki's gubernatorial bid.
The three North Rift leaders threatened to decamp to the opposition if nothing was done to tame Buzeki, an independent candidate.
Mandago went on to win the election, just as the other two legislators. But it came with a price for the Kapseret MP and his Nandi Hills counterpart. Their act of defiance towards the de facto Kalenjin kingpin earned them a ‘beating.’
Immediately after elections, Sudi was accused of presenting forged papers to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Vocal Keter, on the other hand, was nabbed under accusations of presenting fake treasury bills. Of the two, Sudi cowed and toed to the party line.
Keter, however, remained steadfast and he is now fighting for the rights of maize farmers, while Sudi is busy opposing them. Sudi’s case is currently ongoing and he needs all the political goodwill he can get, on top of his obscure business deals.
As far as I am concerned, Sudi was hit where it hurts. He has no option but to sing praises to the Jubilee mandarins, even when it requires an act of valour to oppose.
He moved from a rebel to an indefatigable ally of DP Ruto. The two share a rags-to-riches story, although it is hard to prove their source of wealth.
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