Ripples as Kesses MP Mishra hosts anti-Ruto force – Weekly Citizen

Kesses MP Swarup Mishra and his Ainabkoi counterpart William Chepkut are marked men in Uasin Gishu politics. The move has sent political ripples in the entire Kalenjin land. The two are openly hosting deputy president William Ruto political rivalries when those once opposed to the second in command have decided to go silent.

Swarup Mishra

Those who have decided to go silent in Kalenjin politics are Alfred Keter (Nandi Hills),Silas Tiren (Moiben) and Joshua Kuttuny (Cherangany).Turbo MP elected as an independent Janet Sitienei has remained neutral in the wars. Sitienei is among MPs who tested Covid-19 positive and is currently in isolation. Another sworn Ruto political enemy is Keiyo-Marakwet governor Alex Tolgos. Mishra hosted ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi after holding talks with Kanu boss Baringo senator Gideon Moi.

William Chepkut

It was not by coincidence that the ANC leader was hosted by Mishra. The close relationship between the two politicians played out during the burial of Mudavadi mother Mama Hannah Mudavadi at his Mululu home, in Sabatia sub-county, vihiga county, when the Kesses MP was given the opportunity to address on behalf of mourners from the vast Rift Valley where he slammed William Ruto’s hustler nation narrative. For starters, Mishra made history for being the first non-Kalenjin MP in Uasin Gishu county after locals in Kesses constituency overwhelmingly voted for him during last year’s general elections.

Silas Tiren

Mishra is popularly known as Kiprop by his supporters. Mishra was born in Odiasha, Eastern India and moved to Eldoret in 1997 where he landed a job at Moi University’s School of Medicine as a lecturer in the reproductive health department and had been teaching until his resignation six months to the 2017 general elections. There has been a word of him having interest in the Uasin Gishu gubernatorial seat but it is just a matter of time before his political ambitions come out clearly ahead of the 2022 polls. Word has it, he wants to use Mudavadi friendship to win substantial Luhya vote bloc in the county.

Alex Tolgos

Recently, Uasin Gishu county leaders and residents distanced themselves from Mishra for allegedly dumping DP Ruto. Led by Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, former Kesses MP James Bett and former Uasin Gishu speaker Isaac Terer, the leaders accused the MP of allegedly joining the anti-Ruto brigade. It is remembered that the MP led the collection of signatures from MPs to oust former national assembly majority leader Aden Duale. Together with Mishra during the Mudavadi vist was a long time personal assistant to powerful Kanu era minister Nicholas Biwott and Ainabkoi MP William Chepkut. Chepkut is also in bad books with Ruto having been elected as an independent candidate.

Zedekiah Bundotich Kiprop

The MP blames his recent tribulations when a bank wanted to auction a hotel he owns in Eldoret to frosty relations between him and Ruto. It is understood that Mudavadi, to get a breakthrough in Uasin Gishu county has also on his radar governor aspirant Hezekiah Bundotich Buzeki, Swarup and Chepkut. Since January, Mishra has met more than 60 MPs and other leaders at his home. Last month, Mudavadi met Buzeki, who left CCM because it backed the DP. After the meeting at Mishra’s home, Mudavadi urged Kenyans to pass the BBI Bill at the referendum because of its “immense benefits”, especially strengthening devolution.