Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii has drawn a line in the sand ahead of the 2027 polls, dismissing his opponents’ ambitions as financially ruinous fantasies. In a display of supreme confidence, Bii declared the county “locked” until he completes his second term, warning rivals that their campaign war chests would be better spent elsewhere.

The Governor’s defiance comes amidst intensifying political heat in the Rift Valley, where distinct camps have emerged—"Team A" led by Bii and Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, and "Team B" aligned with Senator Jackson Mandago. Bii’s message was not just for the opposition; it was a shot across the bow to internal saboteurs within his own administration whom he accused of plotting his downfall from the inside.

The Battle for Eldoret

Speaking during the swearing-in of the new Eldoret City Board, Bii leveraged the power of incumbency, pointing to his development scorecard as an impenetrable shield. He tasked the new board members, including Edward Sawe and fierce loyalists, with transforming the city’s hygiene and investment climate, effectively turning service delivery into a campaign platform.

“They should use their money wisely instead of engaging in an impossible mission to campaign against me,” Bii scoffed. He specifically targeted staff members allegedly singing the “one-term” tune, threatening swift administrative action. “I am watching them, and no one should complain when I decide to act.”

• The Challengers: The Governor faces formidable potential rivals, including billionaire businessman Hezekiah Bundotich (Buzeki) and PS Julius Bitok, setting the stage for a high-stakes clash of titans.
• Political Fault Lines: The rivalry has split the county’s leadership, with Bii’s camp framing the contest as a choice between "workers" and "propagandists," deepening the rift with the Senator’s faction.

A High-Stakes Poker Game

Bii’s bold proclamation is a classic incumbent strategy: project invincibility to demoralise opponents before the race even begins. However, the underlying tensions with Senator Mandago suggest that the road to re-election will be anything but a coronation. The formation of rival camps indicates a fractured political base that could be exploited by a savvy opponent.

For now, Governor Bii sits comfortably on the throne of Eldoret, daring anyone to try and take it. But in the volatile politics of the Rift, declaring victory two years early is a gamble that only the ballot box can validate.