Last month, former Council of Governors chairman Isaac Ruto launched Chama cha Mashinani Party (CCM) that was expected to rival Jubilee Party (JP) in the South Rift region.
The new outfit led by the combative Bomet governor will wrestle for power and political dominance in the region against the DP's party.
A majority of people in the South Rift region have cited neglect from the Jubilee government despite voting overwhelmingly for the ruling coalition in the 2013 general election.
It has become a common term to refer to the government as ‘kusema na kutenga’ when it comes to development agenda in the region.
There is a likely protest vote against the DP’s side. This was evident during the Kericho senatorial by-election in March this year. Despite a win for Jubilee, their rival KANU got a huge chunk of votes in the DP’s backyard, something that should not be taken lightly.
Fears of lack of free and fair nominations in Jubilee are expected to also boost Mashinani Party’s assault. These sentiments have been echoed by a number of MPs in the region who said that they formed the Mashinani Party for JP nomination losers.
Unsuccessful aspirants in JP nominations are expected to decamp to the Mashinani Party to later give their opponents in JP a run for their money.
Furthermore, Mashinani Party is popularised by experienced politicians including Jubilee rebels. This should make the DP wary of his moves on matters pertaining the region's politics.