Residents of Nandi Hills Constituency have joined hands to raise Ksh1.6 million campaign for own parliamentary aspirant in a bid to unseat incumbent Alfred Keter.
As the 2022 general elections draw near, the residents have settled on Wesley Kogo to represent them in the National Assembly, a seat that is currently held by Keter who was elected on a Jubilee Party ticket.
This comes after some of the elders felt that the 30-year-old would make an ideal candidate for the seat. However, when they approached him he was skeptical about going for the parliamentary seat stating that he lacked what it would take to make an MP.
At the same time, Kogo stated that he lacked the financial capacity to fund campaigns, adding that he was unable to move from one place to another campaigning, following his poverty-stricken situation.
After persuasion from the village elders and his parents, he finally bowed to pressure and accepted to vie for the parliamentary seat. In a statement, he said he had foreseen himself being a leader but not too soon.
"I knew I would be a leader but not this soon. I just graduated from the university and wanted to focus on my career. The idea of politics was not in my mind. However, the elders and residents have promised to support me and have already raised some money to jumpstart my campaigns,"
"To my surprise, hundreds of residents turned up and generously contributed towards my campaigns. They promised to continue supporting me. Those who did not have money brought agricultural produce which was very refreshing for me because it demonstrated their commitment to this course," he told the standard.
In his acceptance speech, he acknowledged that he was looking forward to help solve the issues facing Nandi Hills and the county as a whole, adding that he will not let down the community.
"Even before I fully settled down with my family, the community has tasked me with a big assignment, and with great humility. I have taken the challenge and am looking forward to articulating issues affecting Nandi Hills and the county as a whole, including challenges affecting tea farmers, who are the majority in Nandi Hills," he noted.
"I think the community saw some leadership skills in me and that is why they are doing what they are doing today. I will not let them down," Kogo stated.
In addition, he acknowledged the community for seeing him through school and now seeing him through his political journey towards becoming their area MP.
"After seeing me through school, by way of fundraisers, the community has started another phase, this time, making me an MP and have vowed to maintain me there," he remarked.
"I am happy to have an education today and I thank the community that raised money to send me to school. My parents would organize fundraisers and residents were kind enough to attend in large numbers and donated generously. They are at it again and I am grateful."
Different people had opinions on picking Wesley Kogo as their preferred candidate.
One James Kemboi stated that they settled on Kogo because they trust that he will do well if he gets to parliament because he is one of their greatest sons.
According to Isaiah Mengich , who is a political commentator, the residents are very confident that Wesley Kogo will bring so much change during his tenure.
“Youthful Kogo has really endeared himself to the young generation of voters with the backing of elders. This has really affected the political landscape," he stated.
