URP rebel MPs Oscar Sudi of Kapseret and Alfred Keter of Nandi Hills are back in the political limelight, vowing not to change their stand on corruption and Rift Valley politics. The two had taken a low profile after they supported Kanu in the March 7 Kericho by-election, won by Jubilee.
Keter has held a series of public meetings. “I will not change my stand on graft and we will continue to point out any ills we see in government because we were elected to serve Kenyans and we have an oversight role on what the government is doing,” he said. The two politicians had a fallout with Deputy President William Ruto over their stand on political and economic issues in the Rift Valley.
But Keter says his interest is to ensure all Kenyans benefit from the national cake. “Graft is causing a lot of suffering to many Kenyans and we will fight it at all costs,” he said. He is facing stiff opposition in his bid to reclaim his seat next year with new aspirants already taking him on on the ground.
Ruto’s aide Emannuel Talam is one of those said to be eyeing Keter’s Nandi Hills parliamentary seat. Sudi has already declared he will defend his seat using the Jubilee ticket. He said his decision to back Kanu in Kericho did not mean he had quit Jubilee. “I will continue to be in Jubilee and to speak my mind at all times. Democracy means we can differ on issues even if we are in the same party,” Sudi said.
More than 17 aspirants are campaigning on the ground in Sudi’s area. But Sudi has dismissed some of his opponents as “aspirants in social media” and declared that he will face with them when the right time comes. Yesterday the two MPs were scheduled to attend a fundraising at Lessos in Nandi Hills to speak on their political plans among other issues. They have denied having personal differences with Ruto, Rift Valley's political kingpin.
The two may have a hard time securing the Jubilee ticket, but Sudi and Keter have strong political networks in their backyards and could easily run through any party. Sudi, however, says he will remain in Jubilee.