Mandago succession race a battle of Eldoret billionaires
Wycliffe Kipsang
A battle of titans is looming in Deputy President William Ruto’s Uasin-Gishu backyard pitting tycoons seeking to succeed governor Jackson Mandago.
The perennial rivalry pitting Nandi business moguls Zedekiah Bundotich alias Buzeki and David Lagat alias ‘DL’ is going to be a battle to behold.
Lagat is yet to formally announce his interest but he has been active on the ground by contributing towards public projects and church functions.
The Mombasa-based businessman has in the past sponsored candidates for key seats in the North Rift.
Flamboyant Kesses MP Dr Swarup Mishra has also been linked to the seat.
Buzeki runs a chain of businesses with bias in the transportation sector while Lagat owns the DL Group of Companies, which deal in mega projects in many towns in Kenya.
The wealthy businessman has set up tea factories and has spread his wings to Tanzania where he has invested heavily.
He is also the face behind the first ever-private special economic zone in the country after striking a multi-billion involving the Kenyan government and a Chinese firm.
The Sh200 billion industrial park by Guangdong New South Group Ltd is situated in Plateau area, a few kilometres from Eldoret town.
Soy MP Caleb Kositany, a close ally to Deputy President William Ruto’s has also declared an interest for the county’s plum job.
The first term legislator was yesterday categorical that he is most suited for the position.
“Yes, I’ll be going for the gubernatorial seat next year. We will be seeking the people’s blessings,” Kositany told People Daily on phone.
He will vie for the seat on the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) with Ruto’s support.
The gubernatorial candidates have heightened their activities at the grassroots presenting themselves to the public.
Buzeki has made inroads and presents himself in most local public functions to sell his agenda. He has also been sponsoring sports activities.
He has been providing free food and economic empowerment to residents of Uasin Gishu by distributing seeds of various food items.
Buzeki has since resigned as Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM) Secretary General.
He is yet to announce the party whose flag he will bear in the 2022 contest. He recently paid a courtesy call on ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi.
“None of my opponents matches my development agenda for Uasin Gishu County. Let them face me at the ballot and the people will decide,” Buzeki said on phone.
The Keiyo-Nandi rivalry Keiyo has already started playing out with Ainabkoi MP William Chepkut, a Keiyo, endorsing Buzeki for the seat.
Nandi community
Lagat, Kositany as well as governor Mandago all come from the Nandi community.
“Buzeki is strong and possesses all the requisite traits deserving of a leader. He will make a good governor,” Chepkut said.
He said the Keiyo community has supported their Nandi counterparts for many years and it was time the former take over the mantle.
“It is time for a Keiyo to lead. If God says it will be Buzeki’s time to lead, so be it,” said Chepkut.
In the run-up to the 2013 elections, the two communities entered into a power agreement, which saw the Nandi, produce the governor with a Keiyo as deputy. Mandago picked Daniel Chemno, a Keiyo as his deputy.
The Keiyo also bagged the Woman Representative and Senate seats being held by Gladys Boss Shollei and Margaret Kamar respectively.
According to a number of Keiyo leaders, the Nandi were to support a Keiyo to replace Mandago, a view that is already facing rejection from a section of leaders from Nandi.
Governor Mandago has not indicated his next move after the end of his term, but claims are rife that he may vie for the senatorial seat currently being held by Kamar.
Prof Kamar who is said to be eyeing the gubernatorial seat has renewed her rivalry with Mandago.
The Senator who unsuccessfully vied for the gubernatorial seat in 2013 has been criticising some stalled projects in the county under Mandago’s administration.
Kositany has insisted that whoever wants to succeed Governor Mandago must have the backing of the majority ethnic group in an apparent reference to the Nandis.
“The majority will have their say in the 2022 gubernatorial race and those eyeing for the seat must get the community’s (Nandis) endorsement since the position is very pivotal to them,” Kositany told People Daily.
Outspoken Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi has however cautioned against ethnic politics in the gubernatorial succession race.
“The electorates should reject tribal chauvinists and vote in development oriented leaders.
We value peaceful co-existence and there is nothing like being a Nandi, Keiyo, Marakwet or any other ethnic community when it comes to electing leaders,” said the second term Jubilee MP.
