CS Keter Eyeing Kericho Governor’s Seat on UDA Ticket

Showdown looms in Kericho county as Devolution CS Charles Keter sets his sights on the governor’s seat.

The minister who should resign from the Cabinet in February is said to be eyeing the governorship and will be running on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket.

The seat is currently held by Paul Chepkwony who is serving his second and final term.

Keter who resigned as senator after being appointed CS by President Uhuru Kenyatta, will battle it out for the UDA ticket with sitting area senator, Aaron Cheruiyot.

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Keter and Cheruiyot, both close allies of deputy President William Ruto are seeking to succeed Chepkwony during the August polls.

“The CS has put together a campaign secretariat that is up and running. A lot of campaign merchandise has been printed so it is official that he will be in the race for Kericho governor,” the CS’s aide told the Star.

Keter, sources say, will formally launch his bid next month.

The CS’s campaign posters are said to have already been distributed across the county.

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DP Ruto has promised aspirants seeking UDA tickets that the nomination process will be free and fair.

In October last year, Dr Ruto told aspirants running on the party’s ticket to base their campaigns on development issues and outline their track records.

“Politics is about interests. All those contesting are not angels who fell from heaven, they have served in various positions and therefore can be judged based on what they did. I call on all the aspirants to campaign on ideologies and whoever loses should support the winner. Everyone will be accommodated in government as they are all leaders in their own rights,” he said.

Keter, a political animal in his own right, has previously served as MP for Belgut and Kericho senator.