​Betting Control and Licensing Board Simon Chelugui has confirmed to run for Baringo Senatorial seat this is after reports emerged that Deputy President William Ruto had endorsed him to contest against his political rival Gideon Moi last week.

Confirming yesterday in a meeting with a section of Jubilee aspirants from the county, Chelugui who has been the front runner for gubernatorial seat since 2013 confirmed that he will be contesting for the seat after wide consultations with leaders deepening the rivalry between the Deputy President and the Baringo Senator.

“We are here to consult on my candidature to contest for this seat and they have agreed that I contest. We need oversight and proper representation at the senate level and it is for that reason that I changed the course from gubernatorial to try the senatorial seat, “said Chelugui.

However he refuted claims that he has been awarded nomination certificate after endorsement saying he will subject himself to nomination urging senatorial aspirants to compete with him in the primaries.

“I want to tell those aspirants who have expressed interests to run for this seat under jubilee to come on board because jubilee will conduct free and fair nomination exercise,”added Chelugui.

The move that is seen to quell the county wide backlash from his supporters and electorate from the county seeing the Deputy President imposing leaders on them, Chelugui was quick to deny DP Ruto endorsement but decided to contest for the seat after consultations from various leaders within the county.

“Senatorial position is not only a county seat but a country seat that is why we had to go outside the county to consult widely to seek views from leaders in my candidature as a senator,”said the Betting Boss.

Eldama Ravine Ward Member of County Assembly Douglas Kiplimo who supported Chelugui’s move said talks to want the Betting boss run for senate seat started one year ago.

“Dp Ruto did not impose Chelugui on us but we requested him to run for this seat in 2015 trying to look for a senator who is reachable and approachable and he is equal to task,”said Kiplimo.

KANU leaders led by Barwesa MCA Joseph Makilap condemned Dp Ruto endorsing Chelugui in his Sugoi home last week saying that the DP should concentrate on fast tracking development projects in the vast county instead of fighting Baringo senator Gideon Moi through endorsing and sponsoring aspirants to unseat the Senator who is seen as a political rival.