As we head to the 2022 general elections, several politicians are strategizing on how to win various elective positions.
For Uasin Gishu, the gubernatorial contest is expected to be highly competitive given the fact that incumbent governor Jackson Mandago will not be seeking re-election.
Already several individuals have expressed intrest to succeed Mandago while a few other names are being fronted as possible candidates for the powerful county seat.
However, it remains a fact that billionaire businessman Zedekiah Bundotich better known as Buzeki is a front runner in the race to succeed Mandago.
Buzeki, a newcomer in politics almost toppled Mandago in 2017 poll and he has made it clear that he will be going for the seat in 2022.
With more leaders expected to declare an interest in the seat, here are three politicians likely to give Buzeki a run for his money in the contest;
Amb. Julius Bitok
The former Moi University lecturer lost to Mandago in the 2013 United Republican Party (URP) primaries. He, however, did not vie for the seat in 2017 and instead opted to support Mandago’s re-election. It is widely expected that Bitok now serving as Kenyan ambassador to Pakistan will be seeking to succeed Mandago in 2022.
Just like Mandago, Bitok, an ally of Deputy President William Ruto is from the Nandi community, the majority in the county and will, therefore, be going into the race with an edge over other competitors.
Prof. Margret Kamar
She has not publicly declared interest for the seat but should she decide to throw herself into the race, then she might cause sleepless nights to her competitors.
Kamar, now serving as the Uasin Gishu Senator commands respect across the cosmopolitan voters in the county. Her academic credentials and political experience will be an added advantage.
The former Cabinet Minister vied for the gubernatorial seat in 2013 but many believe she lost merely on the fact that she used a wrong vehicle, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). In last years’ poll, she opted for a less influential Senatorial seat.
Oscar Sudi
The Kapseret Member of Parliament has been among the politicians rumoured to be eyeing to succeed Mandago. The MP has however not publicly declared interest for the seat. Sudi serving his second term as a legislator is a close ally of governor Jackson Mandago and would be a force to reckon with should he decide to vie for the powerful county seat.
He also has the financial muscle to rival that of billionaire businessman Zedekiah Buzeki. The only thing that might be a stumbling block between him and the gubernatorial seat is his academic credentials.
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