The race for governor in Uasin Gishu is getting more intense and competitive after Kenya National Chamber of Industry Uasin Gishu chairman Willy Kenei declared his interest to face off with current governor Jonathan Bii in next year’s polls.
Kenei becomes the fourth formidable aspirant to join the race in the UDA-domimated region with just less than eight month to the party primaries ahead of polls in August next year.
Others already preparing for the battle against Bii include Tourism PS Prof Julius Bitok, businesman-cum-politician Bundotich Buzeki and Competition Authority of Kenya director general David Rotuk.
“I am in the race and with a clear vision and plan on how we can take our county to the next level of development,” Kenei said.
He launched his bid to oust Bii during a colourful event held at his rural home in Soy ward, Uasin Gishu county.
Kenei is a seasoned businessman and a prominent voice in the North Rift business community. He is the long-serving chairman of the KNCCI Uasin Gishu chapter, and a board director at the Export Processing Zones Authority.
Through his leadership at KNCCI, Kenei has been championing the interests of traders and advocated for a more conducive, predictable and business-friendly environment in Uasin Gishu county.
He is also credited with playing a significant leadership role in the conferment of Eldoret Municipality to City status. As chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee that guided the process, he helped steer the engagement that culminated in the successful elevation of Eldoret to a city.
“Now as a city, we have wide opportunities to tap so that the county can create all the opportunities we need for residents of Uasin Gishu,” he said.
With extensive networks across Eldoret City and all parts of Uasin Gishu, Kenei brings to the race a strong understanding of business, investment and governance.
Kenei’s supporters argue that his long-standing engagement with young people, particularly through KNCCI initiatives supporting entrepreneurship, mentorship and enterprise development, is also expected to position him strongly among the youth.
With all the three other aspirants having flopped in previous attempts, Kenei comes with fresh engagement with the locals and could easily reshape the race.
“Ours is not the usual politics. I am in it to ensue that Uasin Gishu has new workable ideas and a leadership style that will shift the conversation to issues and better capacity to drive development,” Kenei said.
Many of his supporters also argue that Kenei is humble and more approachable, and that given a chance, he will work with locals to transform lives in the region.
However, Bii has told his rivals not to waste their money campaigning to unseat him in the next General Election.
The governor insisted it would be impossible to deny him a second term in office.
Bii said his performance record would easily convince residents to re-elect him. He warned those eyeing his seat against risking their resources on what he described as a futile mission.
“They should use their money wisely instead of engaging in an impossible mission to campaign against me. As of now, this county is locked until I complete my two terms in office,” Bii said.
