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Stop bothering me to quit for UDA, Buzeki tells Ruto

I'm in governor's race to win as independent, he tells DP and allies.

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by BY MATHEWS NDANYI

Counties27 June 2022 - 19:00
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In Summary


  • • Buzeki has intensified grassroot campaigns and said no amount of intimidation or threats will force him out of the race.
  • • Analysts say Buzeki stands a chance of succeeding Jackson Mandago; in 2017 he lost to Mandago by a small margin
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Politician Bundotich Buzeki during campaigning in Uasin Gishu on June 20

Bundotich Buzeki has pledged to stay in the race for Uasin Gishu governor, despite pressure from DP Ruto's camp to withdraw in favour of UDA.

The UDA candidate is Jonathan Bii, known as Koti Moja because he usually wears the same jacket. The race between them is very tight.

Businessman Buzeki, who has intensified grass root campaigns, said on Sunday  no amount of intimidation or threats will force him out of the race.

“Anyone imaging I will quit in favour of UDA is daydreaming. The people of Uasin Gishu are interested in leadership and not political parties,”Buzeki said.

Analysts say Buzeki, who is taking a second stab at the governor seat, stands a chance of succeeding outgoing Governor Jackson Mandago. In 2017, Buzeki lost to Mandago  by a small margin.

Also in the race is former CEO of the Agricultural Development Corporation William Kirwa who has the UDM ticket under the Azimio movement.

Buzeki has told off Ruto, his running mate Rigathi Gachagua and other allies and supporters of the six-piece voting pattern.

“I have urged our people to ignore the so-called six-piece voting pattern because some horrible leaders want to hide in the plan so they get positions and then do nothing in terms of performance," Buzeki said.

Mandago, Bii and other Ruto allies have focused on pushing for the six-piece voting pattern in the August 9 polls.

The region is a stronghold of the DP and UDA but it has attracted a high number of independents. Most of them had been in UDA but quit to protest what they termed flawed primaries in April.

Buzeki defended his decision as an independent, saying he was not opposed to anyone and did not have any hard feelings toward any politician.

"I have decided to vie for this seat as an independent candidate because I am one person with an elaborate plan anchored in service delivery to the people of Uasin Gishu," Buzeki said.

He said leadership was not about the interests of political parties or individuals but what one was able to offer in service to residents.

"Let it be on record that I don't have hard feelings for any political party or politician. But for so many years, we have not seen the benefits of political parties," Buzeki said.

If elected, he said he would create job opportunities for thousands of unemployed youths.

"We have youths who have completed school. They have the energy to work," Buzeki said, "but there are no job opportunities and this is our time to give them hope by offering them jobs to help eradicate poverty."

(Edited by V. Graham)

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