Famous Eldoret Businessman Bundotich Zedekiah Kiprop alias Buzeki on Tuesday received a major boost for his 2022 gubernatorial seat in Uasin Gishu County after Keiyo Council of Elders Approved his recent move from Jubilee party to Chama Cha Mashinani CCM party.
The elders observed that it was under Buzeki’s mandate to move out of Jubilee after his 2022 ambitions appeared to have been secretly attacked by some bigwigs surrounding Deputy President William Ruto adding that they will fully support BUZEKI’s move and his 2022 ambitions.
The Elders also installed Buzeki as their community’s spokesman. The last Keiyo spokesman was Nicholas Biwott who died in July 2017. He was arguably the most powerful man in former President Moi’s presidency.
This comes just a week after another section of elders from the Kalenjin community also endorsed Buzeki’s move saying that the community was fully behind the businessman
“We fully recognise Buzeki as a leader with great potential in our region. We regret there are some leaders who have decided to frustrate him. We will not allow that and we urge him to pursue his vision,” elder Phillip Kosgey said.
Elders from Keiyo Community have endorsed the move by Eldoret businessman and former Uasin Gishu gubernatorial contestant Zedekiah Kiprop Bundotich (Buzeki) to ditch the Jubilee party and join Chama Cha Mashinani. https://t.co/LEKBrhutPR
— Kass FM (@Kass_FM) May 28, 2019
Buzeki, who vied as an independent candidate for the Uasin Gishu governor’s seat in 2017 but lost to Jackson Mandago, disassociated himself from Jubilee two weeks ago, citing frustrations.
Buzeki has accused DP Ruto allies of frustrating him in Jubilee. “They have turned Jubilee into a cartel and caused all manner of problems for our people through corruption and dictatorship. We can no longer be part of such a group,” he said.
The elders and youths from Uasin Gishu, Nandi and Elgeyo Marakwet said Buzeki had given genuine reasons to leave and had the right to join a party of his choice.
Buzeki who appeared on KASS radio and TV early morning interview on Tuesday insisted that his defection to CCM was timely and well thought of. Buzeki accused Deputy President William Ruto and his allies of interfering with the Jubilee nominations in the last polls.
Don't miss #Leneeemet tomorrow morning where #AlexTum and #BoazKemboi will be hosting #BUZEKI on @Kass_FM from 6am pic.twitter.com/ZjbizflSM8
— Kass FM (@Kass_FM) May 27, 2019
He also insisted that Deputy President William Ruto’s allies have been frustrating him since he declared his interests for the county’s top seat simply because he comes from the minority Keiyo sub tribe against the majority in the county the Nandi sub-tribe.
“Farouk and his team have in the past gone public on this and my supporters now believe we will not have fair play in Jubilee and we would rather think ahead,” said Buzeki.
This comes just a day after Buzeki announced that he would open a CCM office in Eldoret (William Ruto’s backyard) in two weeks’ time. Buzeki told the elders at Kaptagat farm in Uasin Gishu county that his decision to join Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM) was irreversible.
“After that, we will also move and open other offices all over as we build the party that will stand for the rights of the people,” said Buzeki.
Many analysts in the county have maintained that Buzeki made a wrong move and that his 2022 ambitions were already dead on arrival. The region which is William Ruto’s strong backyard is expected to decide on the next governor after the expiry of current governor Jackson Mandago’s 2nd term in 2022