Why Wajir West by-election is a battle between DP Ruto, Moi

Image result for Gideon Moi and Ruto

Todays (Thursday) contest in Wajir West Parliamentary by-election pits Kanu’s Ibrahim Mohammed against Jubilee’s Ahmed Kolosh, in what has been interpreted in some quarters as a battle between Rift Valley political bigwigs Deputy President William Ruto and Baringo Senator Gideon Moi.

The seat fell vacant after the Supreme Court nullified Mr Kolosh’s election over irregularities at the Qara polling station.

Mr Kolosh, who had run on an ODM ticket, decamped to Jubilee and was welcomed by the DP.

Dr Ruto’s hand was also seen in the withdrawal of the ODM candidate for the seat, Prof Mohamed Elmy.

Mr Ali Noor Abdi of Labour Party of Kenya and Agano Party’s Abass Nunow Shihaw also quit the race after meeting Dr Ruto in Nairobi.

But although the three candidates pulled out, their names are still on ballot papers.

Both the DP and Mr Moi have been fighting for control of the vote-rich Rift Valley for use as a base for their bids for the presidency in 2022.

Image result for Gideon Moi and Ruto

While ODM won most of the seats in the former northern Kenya in 2013, it was given a run for its money by Jubilee in 2017, with the latter taking control of Wajir, Mandera, Marsabit, Garissa and Isiolo counties.

Wajir West constituency has 27,444 registered voters, according to the latest statistics by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Whom do you think will carry the day? Will it be Jubilee or KANU?

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