It is now an open secret that Deputy President William Ruto will be vying for the top seat in the 2022 general elections.
The DP has already started strategizing and canvasing across the country in readiness for the poll, and as he always says “siasa ni kujipanga.”
To be successful in the race for the State House job, one needs foot soldiers all over and North Rift region is one of the key areas he cannot afford not to garner maximum votes.
As the race takes shape, we look at individuals who will play a key role in ensuring the North Rift votes for the DP almost to the last man.
Jackson Mandago
He is the current Uasin Gishu governor. In 2022 he will be retiring but Mandago will be a key figure in ensuring that Uasin Gishu, one of the key counties in the North Rift fully rallies behind Ruto. Mandago is respected amongst the Nandi community and his leadership style and developments he has steered in the county will be a plus to the Deputy Presidents’ camp. Mandago has also been the chairman of the North Rift Economic Block (Noreb) so it won’t be hard selling the DP’s agenda.
Samson Cherargei
He is a youthful Senator with a lot of energy that will prove valuable to Ruto’s campaigns. Cherargei is vocal and his ability to move the crowd will come in handy. He will be a key figure in Nandi County.
Kipchumba Murkomen
This is another key ally of the Deputy President who commands respect in the North Rift and beyond. He will be key in delivering Elgeyo Marakwet county votes.
Oscar Sudi
Sudi has been a close ally of the DP and his financial abilities will be key in funding the campaigns in the region as political activities are always expensive affairs.
Simon Kachapin
West Pokot county has for a long time been a Kanu zone and the possibility of Baringo Senator Gideon Moi also vying for the top seat will pose a challenge to Rutos camp. However, Kachapin who served as the governor until 2017 will be among the key figures to ensure Ruto gets maximum votes in the county.
Josphat Nanok
Since 2013, Turkana has been a battlefield between Jubilee part and ODM. However, after the 2017 poll, the county is slowly drifting to the Jubilee cam with Nanok seemingly warming up for the DP camp. Should he decide to back Ruto’s presidency then Turkana will vote ‘man-to-man’ for him.
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