Jubilee's Grace Kipchoim Won Baringo South MP Seat While Still Hospitalised

Baringo South Constituency residents elected Ms Grace Kipchoim as their Member of Parliament (MP) despite the cancer illness that saw her admitted in hospital throughout the campaign period.

While her competitors were busy campaigning for elections, she was hospitalised at Nairobi Hospital until she was declared winner by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission(IEBC).

Speaking while in Nairobi Hospital, Ms Kipchoim noted that her sickness was so severe during the party nominations that she could not cast her vote but she eventually emerged the winner.

Ms Kipchoim vied on a Jubilee Party ticket and beat Charles Kamuren of KANU, ODM Party's Amos Olempaka, Cynthia Kipchilat of Maendeleo Chap Chap and Bundotich Cheboiywa who ran as an Independent candidate.

[caption caption="Baringo South Constituency MP Ms Grace Kipchoim "][/caption]

Nonetheless, Ms Kipchoim noted that her poor health challenged her re-election as some of the residents claimed that the banditry in the region was as a result of her illnesses and the widow status.

According to her, they claimed the raids would continue if she was re-elected as she was a curse to the community by the fact that she was a widow.

"It hit me by surprise as my opponents used various forums to fight me, claiming I am a 'bad omen' to the community because I am a widow," said Kipchoim.

During her first term as the Baringo South MP, she was very instrumental in fighting cattle rustling by Pokot raiders, as she actively involved the national security team to help restore security in the region.

According to the 2016/17 evaluation reports conducted by National Government Constituencies Development Fund Board (NGCDF), Baringo South was ranked position 15 out of 290 constituencies in proper funds management.

Ms Kipchoim maintains that insecurity will be the main agenda of her second term as the area MP.

 

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