Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandago is serving his second and last term in office.
He will not be eligible to vie in the 2022 general elections and so naturally those eying to take over from him must be strategizing as at now, though someone can argue that it is still very early to talk about 2022 politics.
With about four years to the next poll, already some names have come out as the possible successors to Mandago.
As at now, the big question lingering in Uasin Gishu locals minds is “who will succeed Excellency Jackson Mandago as the second Governor?"
Here are some of the prospective successors;
Amb. Julius Bitok
He is the current Kenyan Ambassador to Pakistan. Bitok is a close ally of Deputy President William Ruto. He lost to Mandago during the 2013 United Republican Party (URP) nominations but in 2017 he opted to support the reelection of Mandago. He is seen as among the front-runners should he decide to vie for the seat.
Zedekiah Kiprop Bundotich Buzeki
The billionaire businessman came close to beating Mandago in 2017 had it not been for the late NASA endorsement, at least according to the governor's own admission. Everybody will agree that he gave Mandago a run for his money and he remains among favorites to win the seat in 2022 should he try his luck again.
Oscar Sudi
He is a member of Parliament for Kapseret serving his second term. He happens to be a close ally of Mandago and was among key figures that helped in the governor's reelection bid that was at risk from Buzeki. He has hinted on several occasions that he is capable of taking over the mantle.
Daniel Kiprotich Chemno
He has been Mandago's deputy since 2013. He ventured into politics in 2007 after unsuccessfully vying for the Eldoret East Parliamentary seat on a UDM ticket. He has not indicated any interest to succeed his boss but should he decide, he has a good chance based on the good relationship he has had.
Prof. Margaret Kamar
Prof. Kamar vied for the gubernatorial seat in 2013 on an ODM ticket but lost to Mandago basically because he was on the wrong vehicle. She later vied for the Senatorial seat in 2017 and won by a landslide. Given his experience in leadership, Prof. Kamar has what it takes to succeed Mandago but whether he has the interest or not, time will tell.
Dr. Swarup Mishra
He is the first non-Kalenjin to be elected to Parliament in Uasin Gishu County. Mishra is a Kenyan of Asian origin and a current Member of Parliament Kesses. He IS the owner of Mediheal Group of Hospitals. When he declared interest for an elective position in last year's poll, many didn't take him seriously but he has become a popular figure among the locals and there has been a word that he is eying the county's top seat in 2022.
As time goes by and 2022 nears, more people are likely to come out expressing interest in the seat.
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