Independent candidates in the North Rift region defied calls by DP William Ruto and allies for UDA and for six-piece voting for the DP's party.
Ruto and his allies held a series of rallies where independent candidates threaten to defeat UDA candidates on August 9.
The rallies led by the DP were held in Nandi, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot. He mainly focused on rallying residents to reject the independent candidates and also calling for a high voter turnout.
In Nandi Hills, the DP asked residents to reject MP Alfred Keter who is defending his seat as an independent. In Kesses, Ruto and his allies targeted MP Dr Swarrup Mishra.
The message was same in Moiben constituency where MP Silas Tiren is an independent candidate. The DP also held a rally in Iten town where he asked residents to reject Governor Alex Tolgos, who now is running for Senate on the Jubilee ticket.
He is ruining against Ruto ally Senator Kipchumba Murkomen who is seeking a third term and had to cut short his campaigning for Ruto to counter Tolgos.
Ruto allies led by Oscar Sudi, Murkomen and Didmus Barasa among others accused Dr Mishra, Keter and Tiren of backstabbing the DP and said they should not be elected.
“They attended meetings to undermine the DP and they should not be entertained at all,"Barasa said.
Ruto is expected back in the region in a few days time to campaign in more areas where independent candidates have made a strong showing.
Dr Mishra and Keter said they were not shaken by the campaigns and vowed to soldier on.
“It’s just a few days' time and the people will decide," Dr Mishra said. He recently gave dairy cows to poor women to start businesses and he is very popular.
UDA has shifted its focus to 10 hot battles in North Rift region counties where independent candidates now threaten the dominance of Ruto’s party.
The hotly contested parliamentary seats include Nandi Hills where Keter is running against Benard Kitur of UDA while in Mosop area MP Vincent Tuwei is battling with Abraham Kirwa of UDA.
In Uasin Gishu, which is DP Ruto's home county, Mishra is running as an independent against UDA's Julius Ruto.
In Moiben, Tiren is vying against UDA's Professor Phyllis Bartoo.
MP for Ainabkoi William Chepkut is also an independent running against UDA's Samwel Chepkonga.
Still in Uasin Gishu, independent governor candidate Bundotich Kiprop Buzeki has also caused a tight race with UDA candidate Jonathan Bii also known as, Koti Moja, because he usually wears one suit.
In Marakwet West, MP William Kisang is battling independent candidate Timothy Toroitich while Dr Murgor is running as an independent against UDA candidate Adams Kipsanai.
A UDA party internal survey indicated intense rivalry in the 10 areas ahead of a tour by the Kenya Kwanza team.
UDA officials in the region led by Paul Kiprop said the DP’s campaign had sealed the fate of those running against the party.
“We are sure of victory in all areas because our people are clear on the direction to take come August 9," Kiprop said.
UDA is focusing on the Senate seat in Elgeyo Marakwet where Senator Murkomen is engaged in a neck to neck battle with outgoing Governor Alex Tolgos who is running for Senate.
Buzeki has insisted that residents should not be forced to adopt the six-piece voting pattern.
“Our people are wise enough and they will not vote for bad leaders who want to hide behind political parties," Buzeki said.
(Edited by V. Graham)
“WATCH: The latest videos from the Star”
