Cracks in William Ruto’s camp as Sudi, Mandago differ over Senatorial race
Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago and Kapseret Member of Parliament (MP) Oscar Sudi who are key allies to Deputy President William Ruto differed over the county’s Senatorial race.
In August, Mandago declared that he will be vying for the Uasin Gishu Senatorial race in the next General Elections scheduled for August 2022.
Mandago has served as the Governor of Uasin Gishu for a period of two terms and is amongst key political leaders who are heading DP Ruto’s campaigns in the vast Rift Valley region.
Since he declared that he was eyeing the Senatorial seat, Sudi has been on the fore-front telling the Governor off asking him to concentrate in delivering the presidency to Ruto.
The seat is currently occupied by Prof Margaret Jepkoech who also doubles up as the Deputy Speaker in the senate.
Speaking in the Kalenjin dialect, Sudi asked Mandago to instead leave the seat for youthful leaders as he was better positioned to carry campaigns across the country in support of Ruto’s presidency.
“Mandago should now come out like other men and seek national votes. He needs to go and campaign in Western, Eastern, and in Mombasa and leave the Senate seat for young leaders,” he said.
According to Sudi, Mandago was better suited to become the next Agriculture Minister once Ruto ascends to the presidency.
The sentiments did not go well with Mandago who in a quick rejoinder rubbished off Sudi’s statement saying that he had a right to seek any seat that he wanted.
Mandago, asked Sudi to work round the clock and ensure that he delivers for the people in Kapseret constituency.
“Some people are in parliament but cannot even propose one law. Sudi will not decide for me on what to do. Wacha Upuzi, mimi ni moto wa kuotea mbali,” Mandago said.
The Governor believes that he will easily win the senatorial race as he backs on his development track record.
