[Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandago in a past event. His pressure has led to DP William Ruto to throw support behind him. Photo/Nation]
Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago seems to have scored big against Deputy President William Ruto following the latter’s decision to back his reelection bid.
Mandago has been leading a silent rebellion over Ruto over claims that the DP was silently supporting his closest challenger Zedekiah Bundotich.
In a tight Jubilee nominations contest, Mandago narrowly beat the wealthy businessman popularly known as Buzeki, who has since ditched Jubilee to run as independent.
“Time has come for all those who lost in Jubilee primaries to back those who won. We have to vote Jubilee candidates,” said Ruto during a rally in Eldoret town on Saturday.
He added: “I am calling upon Buzeki to support Mandago. That is the democracy we want and I believe he is going to do that.”
Initially, Mandago had threatened to rally his supporters to back opposition NASA should Central Kenya community living in the region continued supporting his rival.
Although Buzeki has since dismissed the DP’s request, the move could ease tension that had brewed in Ruto’s home turf.