Uasin Gishu gubernatorial candidate Zedekiah Kiprop Buzeki at a past event. [Photo: file]
Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago has been told to brace for a bruising battle with competitor Zedekiah Kiprop popularly known as Buzeki.
According to Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) Secretary General Francis Atwoli, Mandago will have a rough time retaining the seat.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV's weekly show JKL Live, Atwoli noted that Buzeki's decline to shelve his gubernatorial ambitions was a clear indication that he is determined to win the seat.
"Buzeki is a very serious guy. The current governor should work hard to stay," noted Atwoli.
"They are both serious guys," he added.
Mandago and Buzeki are engaged in one of the tough, and keenly followed political battles among gubernatorial candidates in the 47 devolved units.
The tycoon who lost to Mandago during the Jubilee party primaries bluntly rejected calls by Deputy President William Ruto to drop from the race.
He is vying as an independent candidate.