President William Ruto’s 10-day tour of his North Rift political backyard has exposed simmering rivalries within his United Democratic Alliance (UDA), with competing camps scrambling for his influence ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The tour, which combined development project launches with the Mashujaa Day celebrations, offered a glimpse into the succession battles taking shape across the region, as aspirants seeking to succeed incumbent governors and other elected leaders mobilise support and position themselves for party nominations.
The emerging divisions pose a headache for UDA, which enjoys overwhelming support in much of the North Rift but now faces the challenge of managing competing ambitions within its ranks. With party primaries likely to determine the political fortunes of many aspirants, the scramble for the UDA ticket has become a contest for both political influence and Ruto’s endorsement.
Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
From Uasin Gishu, where Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim and Senator Jackson Mandago are backing rival political networks, to West Pokot, where two camps are battling for influence ahead of the gubernatorial race, the competition has increasingly spilt into public exchanges over loyalty, performance and control of local political structures.
“All the candidates are seeking President Ruto’s ear and attention with the hope that the strategy will translate into votes,” said David Kosgei, a political analyst in Eldoret.
In Uasin Gishu, the rivalry pits a camp associated with Mandago against that of Governor Bii, with both sides assembling influential political allies ahead of the 2027 contest.
Mandago’s camp includes Principal Secretary for Tourism Julius Bitok, who is making a third attempt at the governorship, Soy MP David Kiplagat and Kesses MP Isaac Rutto. The governor’s camp is associated with Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi and his allies.
The contest extends beyond the next election, with political networks positioning themselves for influence in the region after Ruto’s presidency.
“The political battle is not just about the 2027 General Election but also a contest over who will be the Kalenjin kingpin after President Ruto exits the political scene. It is like magma waiting to erupt,” said Benjamin Kirwa, a political analyst in the region.
The fault lines were particularly visible in West Pokot, where rival political networks clashed during Ruto’s development tour of Sigor and other parts of the county.
National Assembly Public Investments Committee on Commercial Affairs and Energy chairperson David Pkosing.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
The contest pits the 5G network associated with former governor John Lonyangapuo against the Message camp linked to Sigor MP David Pkosing. Both groups are seeking influence over the UDA ticket, despite their leaders being associated with the Kenya Union Party (KUP), which has shifted its allegiance to UDA.
Lonyangapuo’s 5G network brings together Senator Murgor, Sigor MP Peter Lochakapong, Kapenguria MP Samuel Moroto, Woman Representative Rael Kasiwai, former Kacheliba MP Mark Lomunokol and former Principal Secretary James Teko.
The rival Message camp associated with Pkosing includes Governor Simon Kachapin, Kacheliba MP Titus Lotee, former Sigor MP Philip Rotino, Kenya’s High Commissioner to Zambia Lillian Tomiton, Deputy Governor Robert Komolle, Sekerr MCA Jane Mengich, Naomi Kendagor and County Assembly Speaker Fredrick Kaptui, among other MCAs.
“What is emerging is that securing the UDA party ticket during primaries and getting the President’s attention amounts to winning an election in a region where UDA enjoys dominance. It is a do-or-die battle,” said Joshua Kosgei, another political analyst in the region.
Dr Ruto was repeatedly called upon to intervene during his tour as rival groups competed for prominence, at times threatening to turn development rallies into political battlegrounds. The tensions also reflected public dissatisfaction with some local leaders, particularly in Elgeyo Marakwet and Nandi counties where residents questioned their performance.
Seeking to contain the divisions, the President urged aspirants and their supporters to remain united under UDA and the broad-based government until the time came to choose their leaders.
“You know what to do with your votes. Wait until that time, then you will make your decision. But for now, let us unite in UDA and the broad-based government,” he said, promoting the party’s new slogan, Usawa ni Sawa.
President Ruto also urged voters to assess candidates on their development records, manifestos and policies while expressing confidence in his own performance and dismissing the opposition’s prospects of unseating him in 2027.
“You have the votes and what to do with them in the one day affair, and I will do for you in the next five years. Elect leaders based on their track record, manifesto and policies. I can confidently attest to you that I have delivered in the past four years in office,” he said.
The President also appealed to the Kalenjin community, which he said had more than one million eligible voters, to consolidate its support for his re-election as he sought votes from other communities.
“Presidential races are won through votes and, as my political backyard, I want you to consolidate your votes as I seek support from other communities,” he said.
