Veteran politician Isaac Ruto concedes defeat to Barchok in Bomet gubernatorial race

Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM) party leader Isaac Ruto has conceded defeat to Governor-elect Hillary Barchok in the Bomet gubernatorial race.

This comes as a major relief for Governor-elect Hillary Barchok of the United Democratic Alliance whose swearing in is slated for Thursday.

Barchok garnered 158,898 votes against Ruto’s 137,323 votes, while Benard Mutai of Amani National Congress (ANC) got 1,915 votes as Andrew Towett (GP) secured 508 votes in the just concluded August 9 poll.

According to Rut, his political record speaks for itself and says he is not the kind of person who disputes election results because he respects the will of the people.

“My political record speaks for itself, that I am not that kind of person who disputes election results and interferes with the term of elected leaders. I respect the will of the people in any election,” Ruto said.

Ruto made the remarks after a four-hour closed door meeting at his Tumoi home in Chepalungu Constituency with Prof Barchok, Mutai and Kericho governor-elect Erick Mutai.

Governor Barchok is expected to start his second and last term in office once he takes oath of office on Thursday.

On Saturday evening Ruto appeared in public for the first time after he was admitted to Nairobi Hospital on August 9, and said it was time for the residents of Bomet to resume their normal business.

On his part Ruto who is the former Council of Governors chairman and first Bomet governor, said he had chosen to move on to allow healing among voters in the region.

“Let there be healing and there should not be witch hunting. People should go about their business and government workers should resume their duties,” Ruto added.

Ruto also opened up on his health status and sought to assure his supporters and friends that he was on the road to recovery.