Discomfort has rocked the political camp of popular social activist Jerotich Seii following the re-surfacing of old social media posts that now risk soiling her senatorial bid for Elgeyo-Maraket County.
In a typical case of “The Internet Never Forgets”, netizens unearthed a multitude of tweets on Tuesday, October 11, reminding the active citizen of the times she enjoyed making endless derogatory remarks aimed at President William Ruto.
Ms Seii, often referred to the Head of State as ‘Czar of Sugoi’, which forced his handlers to block her from accessing the Twitter account.
“What a weak man,” she tweeted regarding the matter.
In other tweets, she accused him of stealing away public funds and stashing them in offshore accounts.
She also criticized his temperament, claiming he dreamt of ruling Kenya with an iron fist and would not respect the term limit once he got to power.
Ms Seii, who was part of the Linda Katiba Movement – a group of strong critics of the BBI – seeks to succeed Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, following his nomination as Cabinet Secretary for Roads, Transport, and Public works.
The vocal human rights defender will be competing for the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ticket against Real Estate Developer Tim Kipchumba, who has also confirmed he will be in the race.
Mr Kipchumba, who grew up in Kapkomora village in Marakwet East, has previously been listed in Business Daily’s Top 40 Under 40 list of the most influential and progressive personalities.
Pundits observe that whoever bears the UDA flag will carry the day early in the morning.
Seii’s political foes argue that she is not in touch with the grassroots.
Her mother, who is associated with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), supported the Azimio la Umoja coalition in the last elections.
She sought the Elgeyo Marakwet gubenitorial seat on an ODM party ticket.
Her father, Major (Retired) John Seii, was a member of the 14-member BBI Taskforce that for more than two years went across the country collecting views from the public on the changes needed to be made to the 2010 constitution.
Whether this will affect their daughter’s campaigns remains to be seen, as Ms Seei publicly subscribes to the UDA agenda.
There is also the question of clan politics, with predictions that this will largely determine the next senator.
