Outgoing Uasin Gishu Governor, Jackson Mandago, has addressed reports of a strained relationship with Deputy President William Ruto and his rivalry with the DP's right-hand man, Kapsaret MP, Oscar Sudi.
During an interview on NTV on Monday, April 4, the governor refuted reports that he was blocked from accessing Ruto by Sudi and other close allies of the DP.
Mandago stated that he enjoyed a cordial relationship with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) presidential aspirant, stating that he can access Ruto at any given time.
"I don't believe that there is anybody who can block me from accessing William Ruto. I can access the DP anytime I want to," he stated.
The outgoing governor, who has declared interest in the county's senatorial seat, added that he did not have personal differences with Sudi, adding that their rivalry was only about county politics.
"This is just politics. I cannot say that I have anything personal against Sudi. Those differences are just county politics."
Earlier, Sudi openly castigated Mandago for eying the senatorial seat stating that the governor should be focused on national campaigns for Ruto.
"We elected you while slim and weak. Now that you are energetic, you are still going around Uasin Gishu while some of us toil nationwide seeking votes for Ruto. It is time you get out like other men," Sudi told Mandago then.
In the interview, Mandago also refuted claims that he was tasked with the responsibility of running Ruto's campaigns in North Rift in a move aimed at shifting his focus from the senatorial bid, affirming that he will be on the ballot come August 9.
He insisted that he will support Ruto's bid even if he does not clinch the UDA senatorial ticket for Uasin Gishu.
"Those reports are not true because I have already been given one month to campaign for my senatorial bid, after that we shall move to the presidential campaigns.
"There is no other option. The decision will be made by the county residents and if they make their decision it should be respected," he stated.
