This man Aaron Cheruiyot; the Jubilee nominee for Kericho by-election

Aaron Cheruiyot entered the murky political field in his fourth year at Moi University where he unsuccessfully contested for the students’ leader chair position in a controversial election.

He announced his interest in the Kericho Senatorial seat in December last year after Charles Keter was nominated into government as the Energy Cabinet Secretary, replacing Davis Chirchir who had been suspended and later dismissed over corruption allegations.

Before Saturday, January 16th, 2016, Cheruiyot was a businessman running a chain of enterprises including a hotel, a tours and travel company and a professional cleaning company.

The 29-year-old is now a Jubilee candidate running for the Kericho senatorial seat in the by-election slated for March 7th this year.

It was not an easy ride for the youthful politician who had to face seasoned politicians including former National Housing Corporation chair Sammy Chepkwony, former Roads Minister Franklin Bett and former ODM Executive Director Magerer Lagat.

Cheruiyot won the nomination with 17,565 votes while Chepkwony came second with 17,081 votes and Franklin Bett was third with 16,914 votes.

Lagat had 14,059 votes, Chemelil Sugar Board member Joel Kirui got 2,152 while former Kericho Governor’s political advisor Festus Kirui got 1,312 votes.

How we beat political heavyweights

The question that lingers in many people’s minds, however, is how did he manage to overcome the first hurdle?

“I spoke out to the people’s hearts and told them to change the way of doing things by nominating me. I told them that we cannot expect the same results if we approach politics the same way we have done over the years,” he said.

“I gave them my life story from my humble beginning and told them of my vision for the society.”

Cheruiyot will face strong opposition from KANU’s Paul Sang, who is also a seasoned politician and a one-time Health Minister.

Though cautious of the challenge ahead, Cheruiyot exuded confidence in winning the seat saying he offers fresh ideas that his opposition, who has been in politics for a long time, has not been able to.

“Kericho is a Jubilee zone and I don’t think Sang offers any credible threat. I am new and I am offering solutions to the people of Kericho compared to my competitors who have been there before,” he said.

Campaign pledge

If elected Kericho Senator, Cheruiyot says he will focus on a host of issues including youth and women empowerment and sensitize the locals on government programmes on offer.

“During my campaign, I realised that many people do not know how to access youth and women funds. I will focus on helping them through the process so that they can benefit from such projects.”

“I will also set up an entrepreneurship hub in all the six sub counties of Kericho and teach the locals the basics of the business world. This will help them know how to enter business deals with private companies, parastatals and hospitals.”

Cheruiyot believes that he has the backing of Jubilee Party with Bett, Magerer and Chepkwony among others vowing to support his senatorial bid.

@benjaminwafula