A contest for parliamentary seat in Turbo constituency is quickly shaping up like the Biblical tale of David and Goliath, where the perceived underdog triumphed.
The contest is between President Ruto’s longtime aide Farouk Kibet and little known Eliel Kipsang Cheruiyot who has been making quiet but significant moves on the ground to solidify his political base.
While Farouk has been in the limelight for many years mostly close to the power that be, locals argue that he rarely features in his backyard, including attending some key functions.
Meanwhile, Eliel rarely fails to appear when invited; since 2021 he has been gracing fundraisers, weddings, dowry negotiations among other events in the larger Turbo.
To crown this, his academic credentials favours him if the current push by IEBC to weed out academic dwarfs is anything to go by.
For ages, word has been going around that Farouk is a class six dropout and no one had ever confessed to having seen him in a primary school uniform.
“True leadership is not about making noise it is about hearing the voices of the people, understanding their struggles and walking the journey together, in my view Eliel oozes servant leadership that puts wananchi first, because a listened community is an empowered community,” James Kogo a resident from Turbo observed
Those are the kind of words used to describe the aspirant, however those inclined towards Farouk believe that he has something to show, Chipsita cross-country run of which he is the facilitator and patron.
Even so, those in the know claim that the annual event is largely sponsored by corporates and government and participants are drawn from all over the country.
The current Member of Parliament, Janet Sitienei has recently faced criticism from local constituents, community leaders, and President Ruto’s political allies over her development record.
Locals accuse her of alleged slow delivery of services, poor engagement with locals, and frequently skipping constituency fundraisers.
While Farouk has criticised her in the past, Eliel Kipsang is seen to have somehow used the void to cement his base.
“The constituency, formerly Eldoret North is cosmopolitan that is why electorate choose their leaders based on track records, in my view Eliel stand a chance over Farouk and Janet is she wil vie again,” political analyst Andrew Bunet observes
Adding, “Farouk might boast of Chepsita cross-country run but he does not have strong base, he spends most of his time campaigning in Western Kenya, his academic qualifications might lock him out,”
According to IEBC qualifications and requirements, for one to vie parliamentary seat, he or she must be a Kenyan citizen by birth and holder of a degree from a recognised university.
The candidate must also be nominated by a Political Party or is an independent candidate.
