Age likely to be key factor in Kericho by-election

As the date for the Kericho Senate by-election draws near, it is becoming clear that the age factor is likely to be a key factor in choosing the senator.

The parties that have nominated candidates to the contest have gone all out to portray their candidates as either being old and mature for the seat or young enough to bring a revolution and inject fresh blood into the leadership of Kericho County.

By fronting Paul Sang, a former MP and Health minister with decades of experience in public service, Kanu has sought to portray him as a mature and bold leader who is capable of laying down the rules when necessary to unite leaders in the county.

(READ: Kanu threatens to spoil party for JAP in Kericho)

Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) on the other hand, has nominated 30-year old Aaron Cheruiyot and is courting the voters with the message of generational change by choosing a candidate who if elected, will be the youngest elected Senator in the country.

The National Vision Party (NVP), associated with former powerful minister Nicholas Biwott, has also selected Bishop Daniel Tanui, a former two-term Kipkelion MP and Assistant Minister for Commerce in the Moi-era, with a message that he is a mature individual who can be trusted with the job.

YOUTH FACTOR

The candidates and their backers have been keen to realign their arguments and present themselves as the better than the competition.

Mr Cheruiyot for instance has been reaching out to the youth, asking them to support “one of their own” for the job, adding that as a young man, he understands the challenges facing the youth in Kericho and would therefore offer better solutions for them.

“Having completed my high school education in just over a decade, I was faced with challenges on employment and the rising cost of living.

I pulled myself up and set up two business entities on my own. I hope to use my office to train young people on entrepreneurship,” he said in an interview.

Nonetheless, many pundits feel that the JAP candidate is “too green” for the job as he has no prior experience in politics and would therefore be unable to successfully push the Jubilee agenda.

This comes in the backdrop of growing rebellion against Deputy President William Ruto, who is also the JAP deputy party leader in the South Rift region, where Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto comes from.

CS "GUIDANCE"

But in an effort to quell the concerns of the voters, Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter, who is the immediate former Kericho Senator, said there was no need for concern as he would be there to offer guidance on the working in the Senate.

While endorsing Mr Cheruiyot last month, Mr Keter lauded the JAP candidate as being the voice of the youth in the election and expressed shock that some candidates were using his young age as a liability.

“I am surprised that some people have been too concerned about his age yet it should not be a deterrent for him.

The Senate has a lot of responsibilities which can be diligently performed by a young man like Aaron and I will be on standby should he need any advice or assistance,” he said.

Mr Keter said the nomination of Mr Cheruiyot by Jubilee was testament to the party’s resolve to promote youth leadership and called on Kericho voters to back him on March 7.

MATURE AND RELIABLE LEADER

On the other hand, Kanu leaders led by party chairman Gideon Moi have been selling their candidate as a mature and reliable leader.

“Can he convince voters that he will be in a position to call these other leaders for meetings?

It was easy for Mr Keter to do so as he was a senior politician but there are concerns that Aaron may feel intimidated being in the presence of the other leaders because of his age,” said a Kanu official who requested anonymity.

Mr Moi and Kanu Secretary General Nick Salat pleaded with Kericho voters to support their candidate who they praised as a capable and reliable leader.

The two said Mr Sang had proven his ability to perform during his past as minister and MP and had proven to be reliable by standing with the party for years. 

Mr Sang himself said during his unveiling at the Kericho Moi Gardens that having been in politics for sometime, he was prepared to serve Kericho residents without any fear.

“Those who know me understand that by now, I can no longer be intimidated by anyone and I can never be a sell out.

If it is about bringing peace among fellow leaders or uniting them, I am also capable of doing so,” he said.

LENGTHY POLITICAL CAREER

Bishop Tanui has also sought to endear himself to voters by citing his lengthy political career.

In an interview with Sunday Nation, Bishop Tanui, who joined active politics in 1979, said he was best placed to bring together all the residents of Kericho together as a fatherly figure.

With the mini-poll just a month away, it remains to be seen just how much more the age debate will shape the election of Kericho’s next senator and whether the voters will believe the gospel of old is gold or decided to test new blood in leadership.