Vandals deface, pull down Kericho poll materials

Hired vandals are destroying campaign materials of some fresh aspirants in Kericho county.

Campaigns posters, flyers, banners and even billboards have been destroyed or defaced in the recent past by supporters of rival aspirants.

New entrants' materials are the mostly vandalised, including those for governor, senator, MP, woman representative and MCAs.

Lily Ngok, an aspirant for governor, called for respect from those hiring youth to destroy rivals' campaign materials.

Ngok, who is the deputy governor, said as a community, the Kipsigis should not be tempted to engage the youth in outdated campaigns of name-calling and destroying materials.

"Let the best person win after selling their policies without  destruction of any form, including character assassination," she said.

Speaking during her campaigns in Kericho town on Sunday, Ngok called on Kipsigis voters to choose wisely by scrutinising development track records and character after UDA nominations.

Those eyeing the gubernatorial seat include Ngok, former Devolution CS Charles Keter, engineer Fred Kirui, Eric Mutai, James Sang and engineer Samuel Rotich.

Keter had been seen as the frontrunner for governor but his ratings have gone down with Mutai and Kirui entering the race.

With his immense wealth and extensive political experience, Keter might easily turn the tables on rivals and succeed Governor Paul Chepkwony. He has completed two, five-year terms.

He has erected large elevated billboards that are less accessible to less than determined vandals.

Kericho Senator Aron Cheruiyot is another high-profile politician seeking to retain his post. His only competition so far is Quneeas Chepkemoi, who declared interest as an independent.

Senator Cheruiyot, who is seen as Deputy President William Ruto right hand man, thought it would be a walkover since no one had ever come out to declare interest in the seat.

(Edited by V. Graham)