Young turks jostle for influence in Rift Valley with eyes on 2032

A collage of Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, President William Ruto aide Farouk Kibet./FILE

A battle of influence in the Rift Valley is simmering among Young Turks in the Rift Valley pitting top allies of President William Ruto.

Those jostling for regional influence are mainly under 50 years, and analysts opine that they could be positioning themselves to be at vantage position beyond 2027, looking ahead of the 2032 transition.

The jostling is also taking a sub-community angle, with politicians from the populous Kipsigis and Nandi sub-communities among the Kalenjin upping their stakes by declaring their leaders will be the future regional kingpins.

For instance, among the Nandi, Governor Stephen Sang — who is serving his last. Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot has also been upping his stakes with political activities and securing endorsements from other leaders and elders from the community.

Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen is also seen a formidable candidate in the region, given his closeness to the President.

Observers say the recent party primaries provided a glimpse of the political gravitas wielded by the two leaders, Cheruiyot and Murkomen.

In the Baringo UDA Senate primaries, the two leaders are reported to have backed different candidates.

Senator Cheruiyot backed Daniel Kiptoo, who polled a strong third, having come late in the campaign and being a political novice, while Murkomen is said to have been behind Kiprono Chemitei, who clinched the ticket.

Following the win, CS Murkomen hosted Chemitei and Wycliffe Tobole, who finished second.

“Just as we were mentored by His Excellency the President, I extend my encouragement and counsel to each of them as they continue their journey of service. I have no doubt they will, in due course, distinguish themselves as leaders of great impact in various spheres of our nation,” CS Murkomen said in a post after the meeting.

Political commentator Eliud Kosgei said the Baringo UDA senatorial primaries were a test run for how the politicians will be keen to exert their influence and bag more allies going into the future.

“The same will be replicated elsewhere. The race is for the political heavyweight with the ear of the President and the respect of the peers,” Kosgei said.

The political manoeuvres have seen Senator Cheruiyot flex his political muscle, securing the blessings of political leaders from the community.

For instance, Kipkelion West MP Hillary Koskei is on record saying that after 2022 general election, Senator Cheruiyot is the foremost Kipsigis leader in the national echelons .

“Let no one berate him because of his age. He may be younger than me, but I respect him as my leader . Why do we look elsewhere for someone blunt while we have someone sharper and cleverer in Aaron? We need to build our community to be stronger, and suffice to say in the hierarchy of Kalenjin leadership we have Aaron there after President Ruto . Even during Parliamentary Group meetings, Senate Majority Leader is invited to speak on our behalf alongside National Assembly counterpart Kimani Ichung’wah, “ Koskei said.

Speaking at the Inter-denominational Church service and fundraiser for several churches in Nandi Hills on May 11, President William Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet President Ruto aide said, “Let’s honor this man who has spoken for our community . When our leader (Ruto) is not around, Cheruiyot speaks on our behalf.”

Baringo North MP Joseph Makilap also termed Senator Cheruiyot as the “Total Man” in the Ruto government.

“The Biwott of this government is Senator Cheruiyot . I know he has the ear of the President,” Makilap said during the fundraiser of Kilingot Cooperative Sacco coffee farmers.

Kosgei noted that Cheruiyot has an edge given the numbers his community boasts of and his current platform in Parliament, which offers him time and opportunity to politic.

On the other hand, CS Murkomen has a delicate balancing act between the executive duties and raw politics.