Kericho Youthful Aspirant Gains Popularity Days After Declaring Bid Against Aaron Cheruiyot

A young politician from Kericho County is already attracting huge public attention only a few days after declaring his interest in the county’s senatorial race ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Evans Kibet, a graduate of Maseno University, is slowly emerging as a popular figure among the youth, with many residents praising his energy, boldness, and focus on issues affecting young people.

Kibet officially announced his intention to challenge Aaron Cheruiyot, the current Senate Majority Leader and Kericho senator, in what is expected to be one of the most talked-about political contests in the county.

Since making his announcement public, the youthful aspirant has been receiving strong support from different groups of young people who believe the county needs fresh leadership and new ideas.

His growing popularity became evident during the recent voter registration exercise conducted after the reopening of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) registration process.

Kibet took it upon himself to move around different areas sensitising residents, especially first-time voters, on the importance of registering as voters.

His campaigns mainly targeted the youth, encouraging them to actively participate in shaping the country’s political future instead of remaining silent observers.

According to Kibet, what initially started as a simple civic education and voter mobilisation exercise slowly transformed into a political movement after many young people urged him to vie for the senatorial seat.

He revealed that although he had always nurtured political ambitions, the overwhelming encouragement from the youth of Kericho convinced him that the time had come to officially enter the race.

Speaking to Newshub.co.ke, Kibet said the problems affecting the youth in Kenya can only be addressed effectively if young leaders are given opportunities to take charge.

He argued that some leaders who portray themselves as youthful still hold outdated leadership styles and fail to understand the modern challenges facing ordinary citizens.

“The challenges affecting young people today require leaders who understand their struggles because they experience them firsthand.

We have leaders who appear youthful on the outside, but their thinking and approach to leadership remain old-fashioned,” Kibet said.

The businessman-turned-politician further noted that the only way Kenyans can overcome poor leadership is by directly challenging leaders who have failed to deliver to the people.

According to him, many politicians only remember the youth during election periods, but abandon them immediately after securing power.

Kibet accused some leaders of using young people as political tools during campaigns, only to later join the country’s powerful political elite while ignoring the very voters who supported them.

He said many youths have grown tired of cheering politicians who do little to improve their lives once elected into office.

“For many years, young people have been used by politicians for political gain. Once these leaders get into office, they forget the promises they made and begin enjoying privileges while ordinary citizens continue suffering.

The people of Kericho now want leaders who will genuinely put citizens first, and I believe I represent that kind of leadership,” he added.

Kibet also challenged young people across Kenya to boldly contest for elective seats instead of leaving leadership positions to older politicians.

He said the youth make up the biggest percentage of the population and therefore deserve greater representation in government and decision-making positions.

Despite being new to frontline politics, Kibet is not entirely inexperienced in political matters. Over the years, he has actively participated in mobilisation campaigns and political activities involving several county and national leaders.

His close involvement in grassroots politics has helped him understand how political systems work and the expectations residents have from their leaders.

While studying at Maseno University, Kibet once contested for the position of secretary-general in the student leadership elections.

However, the elections were later cancelled after tensions and violence disrupted the process following heated campaigns among student groups.

After completing his studies in 2017, Kibet shifted his attention to local and national politics, where he continued building networks and learning the realities of political leadership.

He says the experience he has gained over the years has prepared him for the tough political journey ahead.

“The people of Kericho will ultimately decide the kind of leadership they want. From the reception and support I have already seen, it is clear that many residents are ready for change.

The signs are already there, and it is only a matter of time,” Kibet stated confidently.

Meanwhile, Aaron Cheruiyot remains one of the most influential politicians in Kericho County and within President William Ruto’s political circle.

Cheruiyot first entered the Senate in 2016 after winning a by-election that was conducted following the appointment of former senator Charles Keter to the Cabinet by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

At only 29 years old then, Cheruiyot surprised many people after defeating strong competitors, including KANU candidate Paul Sang, who was considered financially powerful and politically influential.

Since then, Cheruiyot has successfully defended his seat in both the 2017 and 2022 General Elections, further cementing his dominance in Kericho politics.

As the 2027 political season slowly begins taking shape, the emergence of youthful leaders like Evans Kibet signals what could become a highly competitive political battle in Kericho County, especially among younger voters eager for generational change in leadership.

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