With just about a year to the next general election cycle, Kenya’s political class has started repositioning, shedding old skins and putting on new ones in readiness for 2027. In Nandi County, Governor Stephen Sang is increasingly emerging as one of the leaders plotting his next political chapter.
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| Governor Stephen Sang. (Photo Courtesy) |
Governor Sang, whose second and final term comes to an end in 2027, is said to be eyeing the Aldai Constituency parliamentary seat currently held by firebrand MP Maryanne Keitany, who is also expected to defend the seat when the time comes.
Sang is no stranger to competitive politics. His political rise dates back to 2013 when he made a strong entry into national politics by winning the Nandi senatorial seat, defeating seasoned political heavyweights including veteran politician Henry Kosgey. That victory firmly placed him on the national political map and marked him as one of the county’s most formidable political figures.
The 2017 Gubernatorial Gamble
In 2017, Sang made a bold decision to abandon the Senate and go for the Nandi gubernatorial seat. He faced stiff competition from then incumbent Governor Cleophas Lagat and businessman-politician Henry Kosgey. Riding on a well-coordinated grassroots campaign, largely driven by the youth, Sang pulled off a major upset to clinch the seat, becoming one of Kenya’s youngest governors at the time. He later went on to secure a second term, further entrenching his influence in Nandi politics.
As consistently highlighted in past coverage by Nandi News, Sang’s tenure has been characterised by strong political organisation, youth mobilisation, and strategic alignment with national leadership, factors that continue to shape his political calculations.
2027 and the Search for a Safe Landing
With the Constitution limiting governors to two terms, Sang’s tenure will officially end in 2027. It is against this backdrop that he is now seeking a political “safe landing.” The governor has publicly stated that he is too young to retire from active politics and believes his experience would be better utilised in Parliament, where he could help advance the president’s agenda while positioning himself for even bigger roles in the future.
However, his anticipated return to elective politics has already sparked debate within Nandi County. A section of political leaders and observers are questioning the timing and political wisdom of the move,especially given the competitive nature of Aldai Constituency.
Still, Sang may be drawing inspiration from political precedents closer home. Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago successfully returned to Parliament after completing two terms as governor, a move that appears to have reshaped post-governorship political thinking in the Rift Valley.
One thing is clear: Stephen Sang remains a central figure in Nandi politics. And as 2027 approaches, his next move is likely to redefine the county’s political landscape. After all, as many would agree, he is far too young to fade into political retirement.
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