Leo Odera Omolo Reporting from Eldoret Town

The sacking of Jackson Kiptanui as an Assisant Minister for Environment is a blessing in disguise for the “Powerman” Nicholas Kiprono Kipyaor Biwott,the former powerful member of the Moi KANU regime.

Known to his peers as”Karnet”{ iron rod} Biwott lost the Kerio South seat for the first time in 2007. He had hold on this seat ever since he was first voted to Parliament in 1974. His defeat was unexpected. Especially due to his attractive record in an area previously considered as the most backward in the North Rift.

Biwott had turned the constituency to a hub of massive development. His tenure saw the construction of tarmacs road, massive electricity supplies, and massive water supplies to almost every village.

The constituency also witnessed the establishment and construction of many ultra modern schools, medical facilities, followed by the employment of men and women from Keiyo into senior positions in both the government, the parastatal and quasi-government organizations.

It was near impossible and nobody could dream of defeating Biwott in Kerio South constituency, which is located in the southern end of Keiyo district alongside its border with the Uasin Gishu district.

During the representation of Biwott, which last for more than two decade, the constituency also witnessed massive changes of development including the establishment of Flourpar Mining, the introduction of tea bushes and pyrethrum as some of the cash crops and.

However, the ODM euphoria that swept both North and South of the Rift like Tsunami like any other legislator of time. The popularity of the Prime Minister Raila Odinga in the North Rift at the time had become irresistible. This euphoria made many political novices like Jackson Kiptanui and other easily made to Parliament.

And when the time for the campaign for the referendum voting came, Jackson Kiptanui was one among the reel ODM who vigorously campaigned for the Reds led by the Minister for Higher Education William Ruto, and at the end become the first causality of the referendum outcome. Was kicked out of the cabinet and his place taken by Prof.Margaret Kamar who9 had exhibited unswerving loyalty to the ODM and camp0aigned vigorously for the Greens to the bitter end. It was truly the time for the party leader Raila Odinga to reward the Professor for her loyalty to the party.

The sacking ofKiptanui has since elicited strong protest from his fellow Kalenjin MPs who immediately launched the spirited scathing criticism with one Charles Keter {Belgut} likened Mr Odinga as one of the worst living dictator, adding that he is even worse than the former despotic military ruler of Uganda Idi Amin.

Soon after the news of Kiptanui sacking from the coalition government hit the streets in Eldoret and Kerio South Constituency rural area, Biwott’s loyal supporters went into celebration and merry making.

Some of overzealous ones are said to have slaughtered animals and bought crates of beer to celebrate the downfall of Kiptanui. These fancy celebrations are said to have gone one for the whole of last week.

The residents of the Kerio South for more than two decades of Biwott’s leadership were used to an industrious MP who is well known for go getter. They had enjoyed a lot of development as the surrounding valley and hilly areas turned to be green and the hub of massive agricultural development and food production. But these gains had turned to nothing ever since the year 2007 general election.

Biwott development record at the constituency level is unequalled by any MP in modern Kenya politics. He has since kept low profile preferring to chip milder comments only on issues of national importance. The “powerman” also in later years fought Uhuru Kenyatta for the position of KANU national chairmanship, but lost in a much flawed elections of the party’s national office bearers held in Kasarani, Sports Ground during which most of his supporters were locked out.

Arguably one of the wealthiest Kenyans with massive investment in the farming, oil business and properties well spread the globe, Biwott is believed to have made his wealth as the result of his loyalty and long time association with the retired President Daniel Arap Moi. Prior to being elected to Parliament in 1974, Biwott had for a long time served the former President as his private secretary. He is said to have a soft heart for both the two principals in the coalition government, President Mwai Kibaki and the Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

The powerman, is said to be only the second Kalenjin with the largest following with the community after the Higher Education Minister William Ruto and the retired President Daniel Arap Moi. The diminutive politician is also enjoying a lot of respect from members of other Kenyan communities.

Residents of Kerio South interviewed last week by this writer said they would vote Biwott on a 99 plus per cent. The constituents only regretted that they were duped by the ODM to elect a political novice who cannot deliver the goods.

“We want “Karnet” back in parliament. He is a go getter and highly productive. He has improved our socio-economic within the twenty years he was in parliament and changed the whole landscape of Kerio South. This is the place where one can easily find a family living in a grass thatched house enjoying electricity supply.

In the neighboring Cherangany, the electorate had spoken when they voted unanimously for the Greens. Something which has since became shameful to the incumbent MP Joshua Kutuny. The word making the round is that the former area MP Kipruto Arap Kirwa is also on his way to Parliament come the year 2012.Before losing his seat Kirwa had served as the Minister for Agriculture and he is credited for having done well in assisting both the large and small scale dairy farmers, maize famer and wheat farmers in the North Rift region.. But like Bowott’s Kerio South, the politics of Cheranganyi has also shifted dramatically towards Kirwa.

While sipping a glass of beer at the Wagon-Wheel the popular public joint located right in the middle of Eldoret Town, which is frequented mostly by Kalenjin political elite in the North Rift, I encountered two men from Biwott’s former constituency and engaged them in a loose political discussions, one of the two men Mr. Justus K Komen from Kerio Vally had this to say, “When the next general election is around the corner, we as the Kerio South constituents, we shall advice Hon Biwott to take his family along with him to the Coast or abroad for holiday, and we shall do the campaign on his behalf and ensure that he is back in Parliament with an overwhelming majority of not less than 100 plus per cent.”.

The other person who preferred to maintain his anonymity, blamed William Ruto and the retired President Daniel Arap Moi arguing that the two spent a lot of time and resources campaigning against the Kalenjin Ministers Henry Kosgei,{Tinderet} Dr Sally Kosgeyi{Aldai} and Franklin Bett {Buret} but did not bother to visit Kerio South and Cherany

Komen revealed that in 2012, the ODM leaders and members in the region would consider prevailing upon an aspirant who is a pure Nandi candidate be it a man or a woman to take on Ruto in Eldoret North. The just concluded referendum voting in whose outcome Ruto had emerged slightly a winner, but almost in neck to neck with the Greens, had shown us that Ruto is not all that invisible and he is a beatable man. if the pure Kalenjins voters could be well coordinated with voters from other communities living in the constituency.

The names Biwott and Kirwa, now rung into the ears of everyone in all public joins in Eldoret and Kitale towns.

Ends

leooderaomolo@yajhoo.com