The soon-to-be-declared vacant Elgeyo Marakwet Senate seat race is quickly turning out to be one that might break the record of the highest number of aspirants.
Barely two days after the current Senator Kipchumba Murkomen was nominated to be the next Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary, a record 30 candidates have declared interest.
The number is likely to hit 50 or even more by the time IEBC officially declares the seat vacant.
UDA wave
A majority of those eyeing the seat is in the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the ballot paper for the nominations is likely to be the longest ever seen in any election in Kenya.
Already the ever-creative Kenyans on Social Media have started creating memes out of the Elgeyo Marakwet Senate seat race – making fun of how long the ballot paper will be.
Here is the list of all that have so far declared interest in the seat;
- Albert Kipkogei Kochei
- Alex Tolgos
- Daniel Murkomen
- Edwin Kipchumba
- Eliud Kiptoo Lorpesa
- Ernest Rutto
- Getrude Kigen
- Jackson Kiptanui Kamai
- Jebet Winnie Biwott
- Jesca Kiplagat
- Jonah Kipkorir Tanui (JK Tanui)
- Kemboi Kiptoo Kevin
- Kennedy Kigen
- Kiplagat Koitie
- Kiprop Rutto Marrimoi
- Lawrence Mutwol
- Mama Winnie Kanda
- Mathew Korir
- Neddy Jeruto Kiptoo
- Tim Kipchumba
- Victor Kprotich
- William Kimutai Rotich
- William Kisang
- Florence Jepkosgei
- Viola Jepkoech Murkomen
- Noel Cheruiyot (Dj Nosh)
- Victor Kiprono
- Kemboi Philemon Kipkorir
- Jerotich Seii
- David Kimaiyo
It is anticipated that the earliest Elgeyo Marakwet voters will be electing their new Senator is in December 2022.
The law requires that a by-election is held within 90 days after a seat is declared vacant.
So far, Murkomen is still the Senator, and will only resign after Parliament approves him to be the Cabinet Secretary.
Nice