President Uhuru to tour Uasin Gishu amid rising political temperatures

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy, William Ruto, will tour Uasin Gishu County from Friday.

During their two-day tour, the Jubilee Party leaders are expected to address the differences among their supporters in the region caused by the fierce rivalry between Governor Jackson Mandago and his main competitor, Bundotich Kiprop alias Buzeki.

Mr Mandago has caused a political storm in the region after threatening to lead residents to vote against Jubilee if one of the communities in the county supports Buzeki in the August 8 elections.

There have been intense ethnic-tinged campaigns in the cosmopolitan county in recent weeks, with the supporters of the two candidates trading accusations on social media.

The county's farmers have complained that some of the pledges made in 2013 have not been fulfilled. Uhuru will preside over a passing-out parade at Moi Barracks in Eldoret on Friday before making various stopovers in the town. 

Mandago, with the backing of MPs Oscar Sudi of Kapseret and his Nandi Hills counterpart, Alfred Keter, warned last Friday after being cleared by the IEBC that if a section of residents vote in favour of Buzeki, they would rally their supporters to vote against Jubilee.

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"It is illogical to support independent candidates who say they support the re-election of Uhuru," said Mandago.