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The Supreme Council of Nandi Community, Nandi Gaa Kaburwo, Trans Nzoia branch is divided on who to support as the running mate of the Kenya Kwanza gubernatorial candidate Chris Wamalwa.

One faction is led by the County Chairperson Samuel Arap Maritim and the other is under the stewardship of County Secretary Job Tallam and Kwanza sub-branch chairperson Joel Matelong’.

Maritim-led faction, which is majorly dominated by Cherang’any sub-branch, is fronting the name of Teresah Metto who shelved her gubernatorial ambition in favour of Wamalwa.

The second faction which has representatives from Endebess, Kwanza, Kiminini, and Cherang’any sub branches have already fronted the name of educationist Bethuel Kiplagat Kirior to deputise Wamalwa.

In an exclusive interview with People Daily Digital, Maritim rejected the decision taken by the other faction saying it was pre-mature to do so before involving all Kalenjin communities under the umbrella of Myoot Council of Elders.

“I am not partisan to what was done by my county secretary and other elders. Their decision was rushed because we were still doing consultations on who among the three candidates is the best to be Chris Wamalwa’s running mate,” Maritim said.

Maritim’s sentiments were echoed by Cherang’any sub-branch chairperson William Sawe who asked Wamalwa not to pick Kirior until the community settle on one candidate amicably.

They threatened to take another political direction if their concerns are not addressed by the gubernatorial candidate.

“There’s still a wide window for us. If he (Chris) picks Kirior, we can as well explore other avenues where our interests will be taken care off,” Sawe said.

They said politically, Wamalwa is their son-in-law and their culture does not allow them to visit his homestead, instead, Wamalwa should visit them to court them for votes.

On their part, Tallam-led group said Kirior was the choice of the entire community and it is not possible to revert back elders’ blessings.

“What we have done is not possible to undo. Once blessings have been given out, it is done,” Tallam said.

Matelong’ said the whole community will vote for Kenya Kwanza Alliance candidates in Trans Nzoia to the last man.

Former high school teacher Simon Mutai, who was one of the people fronted be the running mate, stepped down in favour of Metto.

This comes two weeks before the closure of the window required by the law for submission of the presidential and gubernatorial candidates’ running mate.