[Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago with his challenger Zedekiah Buzeki. Mandago won a second term in the recently concluded elections] (Photo/TheStar)
Incoming Uasin Gishu county governor Jackson Mandago has thanked the NASA coalition for ‘helping him’ clinche the gubernatorial seat.
Speaking for the first time since he won the seat against his closes challenger Zedekiah Kiprop 'Buzeki', Mandago said were it not for NASA’s endorsement, he would not have won.
“I want to congratulate the Nasa team for saying 'Mandago tibim' had they not said so, I would not have won the elections. Their supporters should relax because in my next term, I will cater for the needs of all irrespective of whether you voted for me or not,” he said as quoted by the Standard.
Mandago garnered 191,467 against Buzeki’s 148,121 votes in what was a close battle in the Rift.
During the run-in to the election, NASA team infamously threw their weight behind Mandago, during a rally at the 64 Stadium in Eldoret.
The move was seen by many as strategy to gain politically for both parties involved, with Mandago choosing to support an ODM MCA candidate for the Langas area.
He thanked the locals for maintaining peace during and after the polls, in an area many considered a hotspot for violence going by the happenings of 2007 when the country was rocked by Post Election Violence.
“We have seen peace prevail in the region against the expectations of many who always said that political temperatures were high, they failed to realize that Uasin Gishu has the most competitive politics but citizens are also cautious because they are aware of the effects of not being peaceful,” he said.
He promised to work with all including those who lost in the just concluded elections, saying it is time to work.