Willy Kenei Takes Uasin Gishu Governor Campaign to Kesses as Grassroots Consultations Intensify

 

Uasin Gishu gubernatorial aspirant Willy Kenei has intensified his grassroots engagements ahead of the 2027 General Election, taking his campaign for the county’s top seat to Tulwet and Chuiyat in Kesses Constituency.

Kenei said he held a consultative meeting with community leaders from the two areas as part of his continued engagement with residents and opinion leaders across Uasin Gishu.

The meeting comes as political activity in the county gathers momentum, with Kenei among a growing list of politicians positioning themselves for the 2027 gubernatorial contest. He formally declared his interest in August 2026 and is seeking to challenge incumbent Governor Jonathan Bii. Other names associated with the race include Tourism Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, businessman Bundotich Buzeki and Competition Authority of Kenya Director General David Rotuk.

During the Kesses meeting, Kenei said he used the opportunity to share his vision for what he described as a better, more united and prosperous Uasin Gishu while listening to the concerns and priorities of community leaders.

He said his approach to leadership would be based on consultation, arguing that residents should be involved in identifying challenges and developing solutions affecting their communities.

Kenei said his vision is anchored on inclusive development, accountable leadership, economic opportunities, quality public services and practical solutions to challenges facing residents.

He maintained that leadership should go beyond political campaigns and focus on continuous engagement with citizens.

The Kesses engagement is part of a wider grassroots mobilisation strategy by Kenei, who has recently held similar meetings with communities and stakeholders in different parts of the county.

In September, he met more than 200 opinion leaders and residents from Kapbongo, Chebarus, Kapkakaron and Kapserton villages in Tuiyo, Kapseret Constituency, where he also presented his development agenda and called for inclusive and accountable leadership.

He also held a consultative meeting with opinion leaders from Kamagut Ward in Turbo Constituency, where he outlined an agenda focused on strengthening public services, creating opportunities for young people, supporting farmers and local businesses, attracting investment and ensuring development reaches communities across the county.

Kenei's political messaging has increasingly centred on his background in business, trade and investment as he seeks to differentiate his campaign from traditional political approaches.

He is the chairman of the Uasin Gishu chapter of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and has also served as a board director at the Export Processing Zones Authority. According to reports on his entry into the gubernatorial contest, Kenei has argued that Eldoret's elevation to city status presents opportunities that can be exploited to attract investment, create employment and expand the county's economic base.

His campaign has also placed considerable emphasis on economic transformation.

In previous engagements, Kenei has proposed attracting industries to Uasin Gishu through the establishment of a county industrial park, saying industrialisation could create jobs, strengthen local supply chains and expand opportunities for young people. He has also spoken about value addition in agriculture, improved healthcare, support for small businesses and expanded opportunities for youth.

On healthcare, Kenei has called for better-equipped health facilities, reliable supplies of medicines, improved emergency services and stronger support for healthcare workers. He has also proposed mental health and rehabilitation centres across the county as part of his wider healthcare agenda.

His economic message comes against the backdrop of Uasin Gishu's existing development priorities, which include healthcare, agriculture, trade, industrialisation, infrastructure, youth empowerment and support for small and medium enterprises.

The county's 2026/27 budget is valued at Sh12.99 billion, with allocations covering health, infrastructure, trade and industrialisation, among other sectors. The county has also prioritised the County Aggregation and Industrial Park, the 64 Champions Market and enterprise financing initiatives.

Kenei has also been engaging young people and professionals as he builds his political platform.

On September 24, he met content creators in Eldoret and spoke about establishing talent academies across the county to train and mentor young people in areas including music, film, photography, digital content creation and sports. He also met Junior Secondary School teachers from Turbo, saying educators should have a role in shaping solutions to challenges facing the education sector.

The aspirant has consequently framed his campaign around what he calls solution-based leadership, with his slogan “Dawa ya Uasin Gishu.”

His latest meeting in Kesses also comes at a time when the constituency remains an important political area in the county. Tulwet/Chuiyat is one of the wards making up Kesses Constituency, alongside Racecourse, Tarakwa and Cheptiret/Kipchamo. The 2022 voter register recorded 20,134 registered voters in Tulwet/Chuiyat.

Meanwhile, Governor Jonathan Bii is also preparing to defend his seat in 2027 and has been highlighting his administration's development record. A report published on October 1 said Bii's administration claims more than 70 percent of projects initiated during his first term have been completed, with roads, water, healthcare and education among the key areas being highlighted.

The expanding field is expected to make the Uasin Gishu gubernatorial contest one of the closely watched political races in the North Rift, particularly as aspirants seek support ahead of party nominations and the 2027 General Election.

For Kenei, the latest Kesses meeting signals his continued effort to build direct links with communities across the county rather than relying solely on large political rallies.

He said he would continue listening to residents, consulting community leaders and working with different groups as he develops his political agenda for Uasin Gishu.

“Dawa ya Uasin Gishu,” remains the central slogan of his campaign as he presents himself as a leader focused on consultation, economic opportunities, accountability and practical solutions to challenges facing residents.