DP critics in North Rift face onslaught from UDA aspirants

Critics of DP William Ruto in North Rift are facing hard reelections as many UDA aspirants are targeting their seats ahead of nominations.

Seats held by the critics have attracted a large number of aspirants who want to ride the expected UDA wave in the region where Ruto enjoys support.

Kesses MP Dr Swarup Mishra, his Moiben counterpart Silas Tiren and Cheranganyi MP Joshua Kutuny are among anti-Ruto MPs facing an onslaught from Ruto's allies.

Dr Mishra has not stated whether he will be seeking reelection through UDA. He has taken a low profile for three weeks since he was heckled at a meeting in his area attended by DP Ruto.

During the meeting at Kesses, Dr Mishra was invited to speak but he was drowned out by hecklers and residents rejected his address.

“Even if you heckle me and even if you don’t reelect me I will remain a Kalenjin," Mishra said amidst jeers. Dr Mishra runs the Mediheal Group of hospitals and is very wealthy but some leaders openly told him his money won't buy him votes.

Dr Mishra, Tiren, Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter, Cheranganyi MP Kutuny, Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos and Buzeki have been harsh critics of the DP.

In recent weeks, however, Keter has changed his stand and joined the DP's camp, while others have taken a low profile.

More than 10 aspirants want to battle Dr Mishra, who is considered a good performer and had been well-liked by his constituents.

The aspirants are led by former university student leader Josphat Kemboi who has hit the ground campaigning to for the UDA ticket.

“Through the bottom-up approach, we plan to empower youth, women and other residents of Kesses, which is largely a cosmopolitan area. Kesses needs a leader who will work with all residents," Kemboi, known as Jose, said.

Kemboi said the region fully stands behind DP Ruto and he has dismissed critics opposing the DP’s economic model.

“People like Dr Misha have been dining with those who don’t want the DP and we should not entertain them just because of elections. They have proved that they will turn their back once elected," Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa said.

Tiren faces more than 10 aspirants although the MP has not confirmed reports he will be seeking re-election through UDA.

“I will seek re-election and wok with the people of Moiben as I have always done," Tiren said.

Politician and businessmen Bundotich Kiprop Buzeki has told off the DP Ruto over his push to have only UDA candidates elected in the Rift Valley.

During his tour of Nandi and Uasin Gishu three weeks ago, Ruto asked residents to make sure they only elect UDA candidates and back him for the presidency through the party. He made the remarks in Kapsabet town and in Kesses constituency.

Buzeki has declared that he will vie for the governor in Uasin Gishu as an independent and he is angry the DP's remarks were targeted at him and aspirants from other parties.

“I took that to be a direct affront on me and a way to force people in the region to elect people who will be forced on them through sham UDA primaries," Buzeki told the Star on the phone.

Buzeki said he would also go out of his way to campaign against the DP, including in Mt Kenya region.

“I will go and also tell the people of Mt Kenya region the truth about Ruto. He does not deserve to be elected at all," Buzeki said.

Nandi Hills MP Keter attended the DP’s meetings in Kapsabet but also faced heckling from crowds who accused him of opposing the DP and only joining UDA to get elected.

Tens of UDA aspirants have also lined up against Keter.

The DP’s allies have harshly told him  he had just joined UDA too late to ride on Ruto’s coattails seeking reelection — and then go dine with his enemies.

Kutuny will also face a hard battle with more than eight aspirants seeking the UDA ticket.

(Edited by V. Graham)