As 2022 approaches for the retirement of Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago, a political task in the court of the North Rift powerful leader is the determination of his successor ahead of next polls that have attracted influential leaders.
Mandago, a master of Kalenjin wits that has given him political mileage when driving points home to the county locals and beyond, has an assignment to endorse the next governor that will take over after him when he retires.
There are several political bigwigs, foes and friends who have expressed interest in the seat that will complicate his expected move to endorse a preferred successor.
Here are the three politicians Mandago might be forced to pick among for the endorsement;
Oscar Sudi
The Kapseret Member of Parliament Sudi is a shrewd political schemer that backed Mandago in the last election, arguably helping him to remain as the county boss for the second term. Sudi, an ally of Deputy President William Ruto, has severally hinted to be eying the top county seat.
Amb. Julius Bittok
The Kenyan Ambassador to Pakistan is a resident of Kesses constituency, a vote-bloc that overwhelmingly supported Mandago's reelection in 2017. He lost to Mandago in 2013's United Republican Party (URP) primaries but opted not to vie for the seat in 2017 and instead supported Mandago. Will the seasonal outspoken governor ‘pay’ back Bittok in his bid for the county governance in 2022? This is the juggernaut task ahead of the county boss.
Caleb Kositany
Soy lawmaker has severally dismissed a clique of local leaders that have shown interest to vie for the top county office, indicating that there are ‘people’ to determine who the next county governor is. His statements have been translated that he is most likely to spring into the gubernatorial race in the next election, and being the second in command's bosom friend probably he might be the favoured.
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