Resilience and grit are among the traits Khamisi Abdi Chome held onto as he was baptised by fire in his 25 years of political career.
As candidates gave up and retired back to society, Chome maintained his vision of joining the elites and was not deterred by naysayers or the thought of spending a substantial fortune on a hopeless dream.
After actively joining politics in 1997, the politician has finally tasted victory. He was declared a member of parliament (MP) for Voi constituency in Taita Taveta County.
The MP-elect, contesting on a Wiper Party ticket, trounced the incumbent Johnes Mlolwa of Jubilee Party. Chome amassed 9,418 votes while Mlolwa got 8,426 votes in the concluded Tuesday 9 polls.
“I will work with all of you to ensure we bring changes into our lives,” an ecstatic Chome said as he received his certificate at Mwangea Secondary School.
In 1997, Chome then 35 years old, vied for the parliamentary seat under the Kenya National Union (KANU) but failed.
Unmoved by the outcome, he unsuccessfully tried again in 2002 on a NARC ticket. Chome then decamped to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party to vie in 2007 but was defeated.
In 2013 General Election, the first poll after the inauguration of the new constitution, the relentless politician ditched ODM for TNA headed by President Uhuru Kenyatta but he was unsuccessful.
After so many failed attempts, one is bound to forfeit but not Chome. He took a break from politics and did not vie in 2017 following the death of his wife but came back to contest in 2022 trouncing10 opponents in the race.
Chome is among several Kenyan politicians who have contested parliamentary for seats persistently. The Azimio La Umoja flagbearer, Raila Odinga, vied for the presidency in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022.
Jonathan Bii is also familiar with constantly contesting unsuccessfully. He also actively joined politics in 1997 but lost to William Ruto in the Eldoret North constituency MP race.
He failed in the following years but redeemed himself in the 2022 general elections. Bii was declared the Uasin Gishu governor-elect after garnering 71,152 votes.
