The race to succeed the late Baringo Senator William Cheptumo has already taken shape, with some candidates claiming that there are external forces plotting to impose certain candidates on the people.

They have vowed that the people of Baringo County will not accept to be dictated to regarding the leaders they want to succeed Cheptum,o who passed away following a short illness in February.

Former Labour Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui, who is among those eyeing the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket, was yesterday categorical that residents deserve a free and fair electoral process.

“We continue to mourn our late Senator Cheptumo, but as we wait for the declaration of the seat vacant, let Baringo residents choose their own leaders and decide our destiny. Why we fail sometimes is because our leaders are chosen outside Baringo County,” claimed Chelugui.

The former CS vied for the Baringo Senate seat in 2017 but lost to Kanu chairman Gideon Moi.  It was widely believed that Cheptumo’s widow, Hanna Wendot Cheptumo, would vie for the seat to succeed her late husband, but the race has been left open after President Ruto nominated her CS for Gender, Culture, Arts and Heritage.

The by-election is set to be a major test of UDA’s dominance in Baringo and the broader Rift Valley region against the Kanu onslaught, which is seeking to make a political comeback. The junior Moi is also expected to defend the seat he lost to Cheptumo in 2022 but he is yet to declare his political move. Another candidate who has also expressed fears over claims of external forces out to influence the outcome of the vote is the youthful Wycliffe Tobole.

“The question of who will be the next Baringo Senator cannot be decided in Nakuru, Elgeyo Marakwet, Eldoret or even Nairobi. It is the people of Baringo County who will have the final say on the kind of leaders they want,” said Tobole, who is also eyeing the UDA ticket.

Tobole, from Kuikui village in Baringo North Constituency in Kerio Valley, is seen as a strong contender, having consistently maintained an active campaign trail across the county.

Others said to be eyeing the seat are David Kipruto and Silas Tochim. Claims are also rife that UDA may not hold any nominations but the party will reach a consensus on one candidate.

“It is the President who has the final say on the UDA candidate in Baringo County. Because of political interests, Ruto knows that Gideon Moi may also vie and would want UDA to have a strong candidate to face the Kanu chairman,” claimed a UDA candidate familiar with the behind-the-scenes political intrigues.

In 2022, Cheptumo clinched the UDA ticket for the seat after winning the party’s primaries by a huge margin.