Willy Kenei Takes 2027 Gubernatorial Campaign to Jabali as Grassroots Consultations Intensify

Uasin Gishu gubernatorial aspirant Willy Kenei during the engagement

Uasin Gishu gubernatorial aspirant Willy Kenei has taken his 2027 political campaign to the grassroots, engaging community leaders and residents of Jabali Farm in Moi’s Bridge Ward, Soy Constituency, in a consultative meeting on the future of the county.

The meeting provided Kenei with an opportunity to present his vision and development agenda while listening to residents on the challenges affecting their community and the priorities they would want addressed by the next county administration.

Kenei said his vision is centred on building a prosperous, inclusive and transformed Uasin Gishu, with emphasis on leadership that involves residents in decision-making and development planning.

The aspirant has increasingly made grassroots consultation a central feature of his campaign, holding similar engagements in different parts of the county in recent weeks.

In Kamagut Ward, Turbo Constituency, Kenei met opinion leaders and presented an agenda focused on strengthening public services, expanding opportunities for young people, supporting farmers and local businesses, attracting investment and ensuring development reaches communities across the county. 

He also held a meeting with more than 200 opinion leaders and residents in Kapseret Constituency earlier this month, where he promoted what he described as accountable and inclusive leadership. 

The Jabali engagement comes at a time when political activity is increasing in Uasin Gishu ahead of the 2027 General Election. Kenei formally entered the gubernatorial race in August, joining other aspirants seeking to challenge incumbent Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim. The Star reported that Kenei had declared his interest in the seat and was positioning himself for the contest within the UDA political environment.

Kenei is the chairman of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) Uasin Gishu Chapter and has used his background in business and private-sector leadership to frame his political agenda around investment, economic growth, entrepreneurship and job creation. KNCCI has also documented his involvement in programmes aimed at strengthening digital skills among small and medium-sized enterprises in Uasin Gishu.

His campaign has also placed considerable emphasis on investment and industrialisation. Earlier this month, Kenei visited the Export Processing Zones Authority flagship project in Eldoret and said the development could create opportunities for manufacturing and employment once operational.

At the grassroots level, Kenei has said that residents' views should inform his approach to leadership, with consultation serving as a way of identifying local challenges before developing solutions.

The Jabali meeting also comes against the backdrop of ongoing development needs in Moi’s Bridge Ward. County government records list several projects in the area covering water access, roads, drainage, agriculture and environmental conservation, including drainage works along the Jabali-Kongasis road and other local routes. 

For Kenei, the continuing community meetings provide a platform to take his message directly to voters while building networks of supporters and listening to concerns from different parts of the county.

The 2027 Uasin Gishu gubernatorial contest is expected to attract several political figures, with Kenei, Bii and other aspirants already engaging residents as they position themselves ahead of party nominations and the General Election.

Kenei's latest engagement in Jabali signals his continued effort to expand his grassroots presence across Uasin Gishu, with dialogue, community participation, economic opportunities and improved service delivery forming key themes of his campaign.