Two Kericho Senator aspirants have asked Deputy President William Ruto to play a neutral role in campaigns leading to the March 7 by-election.
Kanu candidate Paul Sang and Maendeleo Democratic Party of Kenya's Wycliffe Lessan said Ruto should allow residents to pick a leader of their choice.
They said he should not force them to vote for Aaron Cheruiyot who will vie for the seat on a Jubilee Party ticket.
The government has the "power to nominate a Senator who represents its interest", the two said. They added that any attempt by Ruto to push his preference will "face the strongest resistance ever witnessed in the county from the electorate".
Ruto is expected to next
Friday be on a Cheruiyot campaign trail from Londiani along the Kericho-Nakuru border and converge at Kapkatet stadium.
Sang and Lessan were part of a K24 TV debate on Tuesday evening, that included Cheruiyot and United Democratic Movement party (UDM) candidate Paul Sigei.
Cheruiyot disagreed with Sang and Lessan's sentiments that "outsiders" should
not be allowed to campaign for their favourite candidates ahead of the by-election.
Ruto is "a national figure who qualifies to campaign for Jubilee candidates in any part of Kenya, including Malindi," he said.
He said
Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, Bomet Governor Isaac
Rutto and MPs Alfred Keter (Nandi Hills) and Johana Ng'eno (Emurua Dikirr) were
"strangers" campaigning for Sang.
Sigei asked residents to elect him as he is "neutral and does not
have godfathers campaigning for him". He said his victory in the vote will end political patronage.
