As many candidates vie for the vacant seat of speaker in Nandi County Assembly, the race is hot.
At least seven people expressed interest in the hotly-contested position of chairing the county legislation house. The post has been the subject of intense lobbying, with interested parties meeting with elected members of the County Assembly.
Kipkirui Chepkwony (Outgoing Secretary General, County Assemblies Forum) has shown his muscle and is now eyeing for the seat.
After serving two terms, Chepkwony is now the immediate MCA of Tinderet ward in Tinderet Constituency. He was defeated by Paul Birech, a new entrant.
The 39-year old believes he has the experience and the skills to lead the third assembly in the right directions. “I believe I am the right person to steer the county agenda in the assembly,” he said
Chepkwony holds a Master’s degree in development studies from Kisii University, a BSc in Bio-Chemistry and Molecular science from JKUAT.
Joshua Kiptoo, the outgoing speaker, is also fighting for the seat. He unsuccessfully teamed up with former Governor Cleophas Legat as his running mate in order to unseat incumbent Governor Stephen Sang.
Lagat, the first governor of Nandi County, unsuccessfully attempted to make a political comeback by running as an independent candidate. He lost.
The 33-year old Kiptoo holds a Masters of Law and believes that his experience in the legal world and devolution are best suited to assume leadership of the Assembly and lead it in the right direction.
The County Government’s legislative arm is headed by the speaker, who preside over its sittings. Despite being an independent decision by ward representatives, the election of the speaker is still subject to external influence.
Wilson Kogo, an ex-Chesumei Member in Parliament, has also joined the ring.
Kogo, who holds a Bachelor in Education Arts from Egerton University, boasts a colorful record of being a great manager and having transformed the constituency that he represented for five-years.
Former Principal of Uasin Gshu High School will be facing off against young lawyer Daniel Chumba, and Kibet Kisorio. Patrick Kitur and Elvis Kosgey are other hopefuls
Lobbying for key positions such as Leader of Majority or Deputy Speaker, Leader Of Minority, and the Whips is also ongoing.
The filling of these positions will be a balance act between rewarding loyalty, power distribution within the region, and accommodating losers in recent elections.
Six constituencies make up Nandi County: Tinderet Emgwen Chesumei, Emgwen Mosop and Tinderet. Locals believe that the positions will be evenly distributed to represent the County’s face.
“The elected MCAs are mature enough and we hope they will do their work diligently and elect leaders who represent the face of the County and also who are ready to work and deliver so as to uplift the living standard of residents. We want leaders who have the interest of the County at heart,” said Joshua Kipchumba, a resident in Kapsabet town.
Nandi County is home to 30 MCAs. UDA has 25, ANC has 3, and two independent.
By Linet Wafula
Source: kenyanews
