Questions have emerged over the criteria used to list individuals that were recently nominated to the Uasin Gishu County Assembly.
The Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) earlier this week published the names of all nominated MCAs across the country.
In Uasin Gishu, there were 14 nominated slots up for grabs, 13 of which went to the dominant United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Of the 30 MCA seats, 26 were won by UDA candidates meaning President William Ruto’s party was entitled to get the majority of the slots.
Nomination slots are usually shared among parties depending on the votes they get in a general election in a county and the number of MCAs they have.
Jubilee party with two elected MCAs were allocated one nomination slot.
But while IEBC has no powers to decide who is nominated – as they follow a list submitted by political parties, the blame is now being shifted to the top UDA leadership in the county.
Names that have caused disquiet are that of Belinda Tirop and her twin sister Everlyne Tirop who were both nominated in different categories.
While Belinda, who served as a nominated MCA between 2013 and 2017 was nominated to represent the ethnic minorities, Everline made the cut to represent the youth.
Questions are now being asked as to how twin sisters would be ranked highly in the nomination list, given one of them had served in the past as a nominated MCA.
Persons with disabilities excluded
Persons with disabilities have also protested their exclusion from the nomination list.
Some that had been included in the UDA list have wondered why IEBC did not pick even one of them to represent their interests at the County Assembly.
Uasin Gishu News understands a section of persons with disabilities is planning to file a case challenging the nomination list to the Uasin Gishu County Assembly.
Of all the 14 nominated, none was picked to represent persons with disabilities with Wachira James Maina selected in the marginalized group while David Waiganjo was for the minority.
The other 10 were women, all nominated under the gender top-up group.
Also Read: Names of 14 Nominated MCAs in Uasin Gishu
The disquiet, although mostly on social media pages, continues even as the MCAs – both elected and nominated are set to be sworn in next week.
Already Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim has gazetted September 21, 2022, the date for the first sitting.
And as the MCAs prepare to be sworn in, questions remain on the criteria of listing individuals to be considered for nomination by political parties.
It has been a similar complaint across several counties.
Is it time the law on the nomination is reviewed?
