Independent governor candidate Bundotich Kiprop Buzeki has accused outgoing Governor Jackson Mandago of seeking to cling to power.
He said Mandago wants to control the county from behind the scenes without providing tangible benefits to residents.
Buzeki said Mandago’s decision to run for the Uasin Gishu senate seat was aimed at extending his leadership since the Senate oversights the counties.
Buzeki has also accused the governor of seeking to instal a leadership that will remain under his control.
Mandago is backing UDA candidate Jonathan Bii popularly known as Koti moja and other MP candidates who are his close allies.
“It is this individualism of this governor seat that is being pushed by some few people that we need to get rid of. Mandago has finished his two terms, but he has refused to voluntarily go home,” Buzeki said.
He said Mandago does not deserve to be elected senator of Uasin Gishu because the move would be same as allowing him to oversight himself.
“It’s now our responsibility as the people of Uasin Gishu to retire him peacefully by opposing his senatorial bid before we get into problems in the future," Buzeki said in Eldoret.
Mandago has dismissed Buzeki as unfit to succeed him accusing him perpetrating politics of tribalism, incitement and self interests.
Buzeki ran a close second to Mandago in 2017.
The wealthy entrepreneur urged residents to promote him and turn out in large numbers to vote for him.
“Every once in a while, I hear some people say Buzeki would have been the right person to take the reins of power in Uasin Gishu, but he’s not aggressive enough. I usually ask them how I should be more aggressive," Buzeki said.
He said he had made clear his manifesto and vision for Uasin Gishu and what remains is for the residents to vote for good leadership.
“Clearly, we are not in a gunfight or a boxing ring. Do you people want me to hold the current administration and throw them out of the county headquarters?"
"Do you want me to speak aggressively to scare them so that they run away together with the projects they are trying to impose on us? Buzeki asked.
He said that he believes residents need to take over and run the county effectively by coming out in large numbers on August 9 and vote for his team.
Buzeki's slogan is Uongozi Ni Sera.
“This is not an individual fight, and when we get into power, I will not work alone. All said and done, the polls are round the corner. We urge you to prepare yourselves to vote for the change you want to see in this county, we urge you to prepare yourselves to vote for the change you want to see in our county,” he said.
(Edited by V. Graham)
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