Oscar Kipchumba Sudi is setting his sights on another five years in Parliament, with the Kapseret MP seeking a fourth term as he relies on his development record, empowerment projects and strong ties with voters to secure another victory.
Sudi, who entered Parliament in 2013, has already surpassed the two-term mark and is now the longest-serving legislator from the region. His continued stay in Parliament has also placed him ahead of President William Ruto’s previous record as Uasin Gishu’s longest-serving MP.
Ruto represented the then Eldoret North constituency for three terms before leaving Parliament to become deputy president in 2013. Sudi was elected to represent Kapseret in the same year and has since established himself as a major political figure in the Rift Valley.
The lawmaker appears confident that his record will give him an advantage when voters return to the ballot in 2027. He points to projects and programmes targeting education, security, roads, electricity and economic support as some of the achievements he hopes residents will consider.
“My vision and plan is to implement programmers that impact positively on the lives of our people. Leadership is about the people and not selfishness,” Sudi said.
His political profile has grown alongside his close association with Ruto, particularly during the President’s campaigns and political activities. Sudi has emerged as a key mobiliser and outspoken defender of the President, often using strong language when responding to opposition politicians.
Away from his combative political style, his supporters portray him as a leader who responds quickly to people seeking help. He has supported needy families by helping them put up houses and has run empowerment initiatives that have seen individuals and groups receive posho mills, motorcycles and matatus.
His influence has also extended beyond his constituency, making him a prominent voice within the Kalenjin community and the wider Rift Valley.
One of the moments that raised his profile came in 2019 when he spent weeks in the Kerio Valley trying to help end clashes and bandit attacks between the Pokot and Marakwet communities. The violence had resulted in the deaths of scores of people.
Sudi said he intervened after his attempts to have then Interior CS Fred Matiang’i and PS Karanja Kibicho respond to the insecurity failed. He accused the two officials of concentrating on politics while ignoring his requests for action.
He subsequently brought together political leaders, elders and young people from the Pokot and Marakwet communities for a border meeting aimed at promoting peace.
“I cherish peace and unity and that is why I always ask Kenyans to remain peaceful even as we head to the elections. I don’t want to see a repeat of previous violent incidents which affected this country,” Sudi said during a church meeting attended by DP Kithure Kindiki in his constituency two weeks ago.
Sudi’s rise in politics followed a working life that began far from Parliament. He started as a matatu tout and later worked as a driver before moving into contracting, renovations and the supply of timber and other construction materials.
His business took him to different parts of Kenya and Tanzania, giving him experience that he says helped him understand how to survive and build relationships. He later became involved in the campaigns of a former MP from the then Eldoret South constituency, where he built networks that eventually helped him enter local politics.
The MP is popularly called “mukarabati”, a Swahili word associated with a person who fixes problems. He is also known as ‘engineer’, a nickname given to him by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro because of his reputation for connecting political deals and helping leaders solve problems.
His education has frequently been used by political opponents to attack him. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is among those who have referred to Sudi as a primary school dropout.
Sudi has instead used the criticism to highlight what he considers his achievements despite his educational background.
“There are those who speak a lot of English but have achieved nothing. For me I speak English when there are very serious issues to deal with,” Sudi says.
For the next phase of his political career, Sudi says he wants to give greater attention to education in Kapseret. His plans include putting up and repairing classrooms and providing schools with equipment to improve learning conditions.
He also wants needy students to benefit from Free day secondary education through full scholarships.
Young people and women are another group he plans to support through economic empowerment programmes and efforts to help residents access employment opportunities.
Sudi has also been involved in efforts to improve security in Kapseret, working with residents and the government to support the construction of additional police posts and stations.
Road improvements and wider access to electricity form part of his development record, with the constituency benefiting from tarmacking projects and the expansion of rural electrification.
Despite his confidence, Sudi will have to overcome a growing field of challengers if he is to secure a fourth term.
Five aspirants have already begun positioning themselves to contest the Kapseret seat. They are John Chumba, Pauline Tuwei, Emmanuel Kemboi, Slyvia Metto and Frank Murgor.