On Tuesday, January 3, Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen pitched a tent in Elgeyo Marakwet drumming up support for UDA candidate William Kisang.
However, the former senator was temporarily forced to cut short his speech after he was heckled as he campaigned for Kisang.
According to a video clip doing rounds on social media platforms, efforts by the CS to beseech President William Ruto’s name proved futile as locals deliberately rejected his plea not to disappoint the Head of State.
“Kwa sababu alinipatia nafasi ya kutumikia nyinyi na kutumikia Kenya, kwa heshima ya huyo rais mwenye ametuheshimu, mimi naomba kwa unyenyekevu tupigie chama cha UDA kura,” Murkomen begged.
Loosely translated to: “Since he gave me the opportunity to serve you and to serve Kenya, in honor of that president that has shown us, I humbly urge you to vote for UDA.”
The voters openly told President Ruto’s ally that they will not be coerced to vote for the UDA candidate in the by-election scheduled for Thursday, January 5.
Instead that they will vote for Party for Peace and Democracy candidate and lawyer Tim Kipchumba who reportedly lost in the UDA primaries.
Despite the heckling, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has expressed confidence that UDA will emerge victorious in the upcoming by-elections.
“We are confident that you will win and join us in delivering on the Kenya Kwanza Plan,” Gachagua said on Tweet.
The former Mathira MP appealed to the electorates in these areas to come out in large numbers and vote for UDA candidates.
“We wish all our candidates in the by-elections the very best! God Bless Kenya,” Gachagua said.
The seat fell vacant after President William Ruto appointed Kipchumba Murkomen into his cabinet.
The race to succeed Roads CS Kipchumba Murkomen has also attracted Jerotich Seii (Safina Party), Matthew Tuigong (Independent), and Timothy Tanui (The New Democrats).
