They say politics change people, it makes people greedy and liars. Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot is on the spot for reversing an MPESA transaction of KSH 10,000 he had send to a needy student over the weekend.
How did a man who was once a staunch Christian change so much in such a short time? Here we look at some of the things you didn’t know about the man who hopes to be governor in 2022.
1. Born on 23rd February 1986 to Mr Joel Kipkoskei, a tea farmer and Mary Koskei a teacher, Mr Cheruiyot fully supported the teacher’s strike which paralyzed education in Kenya towards the end of last year, saying teachers deserved better pay after recalling all the tribulations that his mother has been through working too hard yet getting meager pay.
2. He grew up in Kericho County. His mother is a teacher and an active member of Kipsigis Teaches Sacco.
3. He went to Unity Primary School. He later joined Kericho High School for his secondary education.
4. He vied for the Moi University Students Organization (MUSO) chairman’s seat in 2008 but lost out narrowly to Moses Orango.
5. Aaron was suspended from Moi University for a year in 2009 for leading a protest against transport cartels in Kesses that did not want the business opened up to other interested businessmen. Eventually, he succeeded, forcing the university management to open up the Moi University-Eldoret Town route to minibuses, bringing down the cost of transport along the route down to Sh50 from Sh140.
6. He holds a BA Language and Literary Studies (Literature option) from Moi University. He graduated in 2010.
7. He joined Kenya Institute of Management in 2010 where he obtained a diploma in marketing.
8. Arona, as he is fondly known among his friends, established of Africana Savana Tours Safaris, in May 2012 soon after quitting his sales job at Radio Africa Group. He’s also a director at Top Image Cleaning Services in Nairobi.
9. Aaron is a staunch Christian and is a youth leader and Sunday School teacher at Africa Gospel Church in Donholm, Nairobi. He’s an active member of Concert Family, a Christian group based in Moi University, Main Campus. He often led prayers at his campaign rallies
10. He declared his intention to vie for the Kericho senatorial seat on November 24, 2015 and was urged on by his friends and family. He felled established politicians including former Ministers Franklin Bett and Magerer Langat.