New twist in Baringo governor’s race after Chelugui opts out
By Noah.Cheploen, January 19, 2022
The battle for Baringo County governorship has taken a new twist after Labour Cabinet secretary Simon Chelugui opted not to vie for any political seat in this year’s GeneralElection. Chelugui, who vied for the senate position in 2017 after being persuaded by Deputy President William Ruto to drop his bid for governorship, was widely expected to battle Governor Stanley Kiptis for the plum county job.
Last month, Chelugui led a delegation of his supporters to Ruto’s home in Sugoi, Uasin Gishu where the decision not to run was reached. Ruto thanked the people of Baringo County for ‘releasing’ Chelugui to help him in the national arena.
“It is true, he is not running. He will be handed a role in the DP’s presidential campaign board,” said a close confidante of the CS who also attended the meeting. “Hopefully, he will give us direction as far as who to support in Baringo is concerned.
We are waiting for further communication from him,” the highly placed said yesterday. During the burial of retired teacher John Ndoigo last Friday, Chelugui steered clear of local politics opting to drum up support for Ruto instead as aspirants for various seats including those vying for governorship took to the podium to campaign.
Gather momentum “He (Ruto) has shown that he is up to the task and has a plan for Kenyans,” he said, adding: “We should all rally behind him because of the great plans he has for this country.”
At the same time, the battle for the governorship seat in Baringo is gathering momentum with former Governor Benjamin Cheboi in an overdrive gear to reclaim his seat in a race that has so far attracted eight candidates.
The battle for the seat has attracted both veterans and new faces with Nairobi based entrepreneur Sialo Kimiring being the latest entrant.
While making the declaration, Kimiring promised locals a bag of goodies while also firing a warning shot at his opponents saying they are to blame for the high poverty levels and poor education standards in the devolved unit.
Kimiring joins a list comprising of former governor Cheboi, Eldama Ravine MP Moses Lessonet, Wildlife PS Fred Segor and County Clerk Richard Koech.