Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony on Thursday, March 25, nominated County Executive Committee Member for Education Sports, Culture and Social Service Lily Chepngetich Ngok, as the Deputy Governor following the death of Susan Kikwai.
In a letter to Kericho Speaker, Dominic Rono, the governor stated that he had taken into account that the late Kikwai hailed from Kipkelion East Sub County.
Chepkwony added that the nomination addresses continuity in the distribution of elective seats and gender balance.
"I confirm that the nominee meets all the requirements for nomination to the post and has all the qualifications, leadership qualities and competencies necessary for such a demanding job," he stated.
The Senate introduced a law compelling Governors to nominate their deputies within fourteen days after the seat becomes vacant.
The law was prompted by the case of a former Nairobi Governor who took more than two years before filling a vacant Deputy Governor's position.
The nomination came days after the late Kikwai was burried in Kipkelion East, Kericho County on Tuesday, March 23.
She passed on Saturday, March 20 after battling Covid-19 in hospital for two weeks. Kikwai was buried 72 hours after her death, in light of Government protocols as regards Covid-19 victims.
"She was discharged on Thursday but on Friday night, her condition deteriorated and she was rushed back to the hospital. She succumbed on Saturday at around 9:30 a.m," a family member stated.
