The Numbers; Will Buzeki beat Mandago?

Uasin Gishu County is at county nicknamed “The Home of Champions.” Eldoret town is significant in a number of ways, the town is seen by many as the centre of both Kalenjin economy and politics.  Eldoret is the home town of the deputy president William Ruto, it is also the home to most world athletic champions.  The leadership of Uasin Gishu County is therefore significant to the North Rift and Rift Valley at large.

The gubernatorial race continues to shape itself as the most contested seat. The incumbent governor Hon Jackson Mandago has not only been the county’s boss but also one of the bigwigs in Rift Valley politics. His recapture of the seat will largely depend on how he will play with the electoral numbers which are spread across five constituencies.  This is especially after Kiprop Bundotich alias Buzeki joined the guberb race. Buzekis’ entry into the race has been seen by many political observers to having complicated  Mandagos’ chances of retaining the seat. The business mogul winning chances maybe reduced due should the ethnic card be played. Bunditich is said to be from the Keiyo sub tribe of the Kalenjin –Nandis are the dominant sub tribe in Uasin Gishu County.

The following are registered voters per constituency as released by the IEBC after voter registration in 2016.

SOY 57,508
TURBO 87,332
MOIBEN 49,591
AINABKOI 38,979
KAPSERET 47,165
KESSES 50,055

The vote rich constituencies of Soy and Turbo are Mandagos’ strongholds. The real battle for votes will likely be in Kesses and Kapseret.