On polls eve, Ruto’s Uasin Gishu turf dares to dream
Residents of Deputy President William Ruto’s North Rift backyard were yesterday exuding confidence that their son would ascend to the house on the hill.
Speaking to People Daily, voters in the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) strongholds hoped the poll would be free and fair, devoid of any underhand dealings.
Benjamin Chumo, an elder from Uasin-Gishu county, challenged President Uhuru Kenyatta to hand over power to whoever will be elected by the people.
“I hope the will of the people will prevail. We expect the President to accept the will of the people and hand over power to whoever wins. Our son (the DP) has done enough campaigns and we hope he will win in round one,” said Chumo.
Rebels warned
Nicholas Koros, a youth leader from Baringo County, said Rift Valley was solidly behind the DP and warned rebels who have been fighting him to prepare to go home as they will be voted out.
“The DP has done a lot for this region for the past 10 years despite spirited efforts from some quarters to scuttle the performance of his office. As the North Rift, it’s my plea that, as we go to the ballot, let us stand with Ruto and his running mate Rigathi Gachagua,” said Koros.
He called on local residents to maintain peace and accept the outcome of the results, either way. “It’s our prayer that we maintain peace as Kenyans irrespective of our ethnic or political affiliations as life will continue after August 9,” said Koros.
Kesses MP Swarup Mishra, who is one of the leaders from the North Rift who has fallen out with the DP, expressed optimism that the polls would be free and fair.
“We have a lot of confidence in the electoral agency that they will discharge their mandate without pressure from any quarters. I wish the best to all candidates as we head to the polls. We have done enough campaigns and it is now up to the people to choose their leaders,” said Mishra.
Mishra, who opted to run as an independent candidate, will face off in Kesses with Julius Rutto of UDA.
Receiving end
During the DP’s last tour of the region last week, Mishra, Sila Tiren (Moiben), William Chepkut (Ainabkoi) and Alfred Keter (Nandi Hills) — all independent candidates — were on the receiving end, with Ruto urging the residents to vote them out.
A spot-check at Sugoi, the rural home of the DP, revealed that all was quiet, with residents going about their usual businesses. The deputy president is expected to cast his vote at Sugoi Primary School station today.
Religious leaders from the North Rift yesterday added their voice to the electioneering period, calling on Kenyans to keep peace during and after the elections.
The clergy, led by Eldoret Catholic Diocese Bishop Dominic Kimengich, who held special prayers for the country, pledged to reconcile political leaders after the announcement of the presidential results.
“We have confidence that IEBC will carry out free and fair elections. We are also happy that security agencies have prepared themselves well,” said Bishop Kimengich.
Last evening, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) was distributing voting materials to all the 960 polling stations in the region.
“All is set for the elections. Our officers are now leaving for their various stations. We’ve not witnessed any hitches so far,” said North Rift IEBC coordinator Irene Mutai.
Uasin-Gishu County has 506,138 registered voters in its six constituencies, with Turbo Constituency recording the highest number at 120,202.
Others include Soy (92,702), Moiben (77,877),Ainabkoi (62,606), Kapseret (74,809) and Kesses (77,942).
