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Azimio Presidential candidate Raila Odinga is on Sunday, August 1, 2022 expected to storm Deputy President William Ruto’s backyard with high hopes of clinching a few seats in an area believed to be zoned in favour of the latter.

Raila is expected to hold rallies and town hall meetings in Eldoret and Nandi Hills in what is expected to be his final tour in the North Rift as August 9 draws closer.

The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya flag bearer is scheduled to tour Turbo constituency, Ruto’s home, where one candidate is causing the DP’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) team sleepless nights.

Richard Kiprono Kemboi’s candidature

A local businessman cum farmer Richard Kiprono Kemboi whose home is just 100 meters from Ruto’s Sugoi village residence, is causing ripples in the DP’s own constituency.

In the last general election, it was the same Ruto’s Turbo constituency, that locked out the ruling Jubilee party, who had the DP’s support to vote for an independent candidate Janet Sitienei.

Sitienei now has to face it off with Kemboi, an ardent supporter of Azimilo La Umoja Presidental candidate Raila Odinga, who is contesting the seat on the United Democratic Party (UDP), associated with former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo, in a contest residents say could be based on individuals’ record and not party affiliation.

In the 2017 elections, Sitienei won the seat on an independent ticket against Jubilee Party’s Kevin Okwara while William Chepkut won as an independent in the neighbouring Ainabkoi constituency.

Should Ruto form the next government, Kemboi says he would love to have the honor to represent him in the National Assembly as his MP.

“Though I am sure that Raila will be the next president, I would equally be glad to represent Ruto whether as an ordinary civilian or as the head of state. Whichever way, I am likely to be his MP in the constituency that he has led before,” Kemboi says.

Kemboi wants to change the status quo and to be the new member of parliament for the constituency that hosts Ruto’s ancestral home and to deliver the seat to Azimio La Umoja coalition.

Kemboi says his support for Raila began when he was 12 years old due to his contribution to constitutional reforms and standing out for Kenya.

The business man, with interests in Uganda and Kenya says he has nothing personal against Ruto but wanted the people of Turbo to accorded their democratic right to freely elect their representative.

‘I was a member of ODM party but moved to UDP, which is an affiliate of Azimio to contest for the seat. I am confident of winning the seat,” he said.

Kemboi further says that he joined Raila’s bandwagon out of his thirst for leadership change and belief that the former can offer better governance than what Preident Uhuru Kenyatta and Ruto have offered for the last ten years.

“The enthusiasm with which Raila’s running mate Martha Karua was received in Eldoret gives a glimpse of what Kenyans want. Raila can make a better leader,” he says.

Kemboi says that through the support of Raila, he has already rolled out a program supporting single mothers in Turbo constituency in line with the presidential candidate’s manifesto.

“Raila introduced me to a donor who through our NGO we have been able to support over 2000 single mothers through capacity building and start up business funds,” he said.

Kemboi says he has initiated various projects in Sugoi and the larger Turbo constituency targeting youth and women empowerment in the region.

Kemboi says he is the man to beat going by his philanthropic works and various engagements with the residents.

Others in the race are Sammy Mugo (Jubilee), Benjamin Magerer (independent) and Willy Korir (independent). The incumbent MP has pleaded with losers in the nominations to support her bid to ensure UDA wins the seat.

“I urge my competitors in the UDA nominations to join hands with me. I have done well in my first term and I deserve a second one which I believe that the people of Turbo will give me,” said Ms Sitienei.

The first-time MP is, however, facing strong competition from Mr Kemboi who is running for the seat for the second time and has attracted a huge following because of his philanthropy.

“We are an agriculture-rich constituency and our people have been neglected all along. I want, if elected, to dedicate my efforts towards changing the lives of our people by ensuring water provision, road networks and upgrading most of the schools which are in a poor state,” Kemboi said.

The other contestant vying on a party affiliated to Raila’s Azimio, Mugo has put his focus on empowerment of women and youth.

“They form the majority of the voters, and they are the people who turn out in large numbers to vote. As look forward for their support, I have also signed a charter with my people committing me to prioritize the needs of women and the youth,” Mugo says.

On the other hand, the two independent candidates Magerer and Korir have pegged their hopes of being elected on their personal development initiatives.

While Magerer boast of offering scholarships to hundreds of learners and supporting women’s groups, Korir has been lending his hand to various self help groups in the constituency.