Nandi Governor Stephen Sang has asked residents to forgive him where his administration may have failed to meet their expectations as he prepares to leave office next year.
Sang, who is completing his second and final term, said he and his team had done their best to fulfil the promises they made to residents over the past nine years.
“I thank the people of Nandi for giving me a chance to serve them. I appointed all those I have been working with and I know we did our best, but it’s not possible to do everything,” he said.
Speaking at a function in Aldai constituency, the governor said despite the challenges facing devolution, his administration had delivered projects that would continue benefiting residents.
He said elections offered residents an opportunity to choose new leaders and that he would next year hand over the county’s leadership to his successor.
“Where I did not meet your expectations, please forgive me. But I am proud of the Nandi people for supporting me and working hard to build our county,” he added.
Sang said he was now shifting his political focus to campaigning for President William Ruto’s reelection, arguing that the head of state needed more time to complete projects and programmes across the country.
“We should all go out there to campaign peacefully and ensure unity. Let’s all support President Ruto and ensure he gets a second term,” he said.
The governor said his administration had recorded achievements in healthcare, water, agriculture, education and other key sectors during his tenure.
As Sang prepares to exit, the battle to succeed him has intensified, with Tinderet MP Julius Melly seeking the blessings and prayers of his constituents as he steps up his bid for the governor’s seat.
Melly says his experience and legislative and development record make him the best candidate to take over from Sang in 2027.
“The people of Tinderet have elected me for three terms and I am grateful to them as I go for the governor’s seat with their blessings and prayers,” he said.
Melly has chaired the National Assembly Education Committee for the last 10 years, an experience he says has given him extensive knowledge of leadership and policy-making.
“I am confident that the people of Nandi will give me a chance to serve them and, if elected governor of Nandi in 2027, I will prioritise improved healthcare access for vulnerable families and major reforms in ECDE (Early Childhood Development Education),” he told The Star.
The legislator is banking on his experience as a teacher, school principal, MP since 2013 and chairman of the Education committee to advance a vision he says will transform the county.
Melly has placed education at the centre of his campaign, arguing that it is not only a social service but also an investment in the future workforce.
He says his decade-long involvement in parliamentary affairs on education has given him a deeper understanding of the challenges facing learners, teachers and institutions.
He plans to strengthen ECDE by improving teacher welfare, learning infrastructure and standardising systems, saying ECDE is the foundation of education.
Healthcare is another priority in his campaign, with Melly pledging to introduce a medical cover programme for less fortunate households in Nandi.
“We have to take more bold measures and reforms to ensure the people of Nandi will access quality healthcare. We must have modern facilities and motivated staff to achieve that,” he said.
Residents backing his bid describe Melly as a soft-spoken, self-made, firm, accessible and visionary leader who has maintained strong grassroots networks.
“He is my MP and many of us can attest that his leadership has been very impactful, especially through the guidance he has been applying to have our CDF (Constituency Development Fund) kitty benefit the constituency,” resident Paul Bitok said.
Melly has served as Tinderet MP since 2013 and survived the 2022 UDA wave, when he was the only MP in Nandi to survive the party nominations. His supporters say this demonstrates his strong grassroots networks.
He is also an ardent supporter of President Ruto, whom he says deserves a second term because of what he describes as transformative development projects across the country, including in Nandi.
Melly, 59, has over the years built networks across the county and is regarded by political analysts as one of the leading aspirants seeking to succeed Sang.
The real test, however, is likely to come during the UDA party primaries, where he will face several other aspirants seeking the county’s top seat.
They include lawyer Allan Kosgey, Nandi Woman Representative Cynthia Muge, Dr Zaccius Rop of the Hokil Foundation, engineer Anderson Serem, businessman David Lagat;and former overnor Cleophas Lagat.
