Cosmas Korir, the 2018 winner of Ksh208 million sports betting jackpot was on Wednesday, September 21 elected as the Assembly Speaker of Bomet County.
Korir clinched the seat after he defeated ten candidates who were in the race.
He was elected as the 4th speaker of Bomet County after garnering 32 votes against his closest competitor and former Kipsonoi ward MCA Weldon Kirui who second with 6 votes.
After being declared winner, Korir assured the Members of County Assembly (MCAs) that he will provide a consultative leadership in his capacity as the speaker.
“I will work with all the members from across the political divide. I will ensure that your welfare is well taken care of,” Korir stated
Korir also pledged to unite members of the county assembly and ensure they play their oversight role on the executive and take development in the county to the next level.
Korir shot to the limelight in September 2018, after winning a whopping Ksh208,733,619 after placing KSh100 bet on 17 games and predicted all of them correctly.
After winning the bet, Cosmas has been participating in projects including assisting in grassroot football and health equipment in dispensaries in Bomet County.
However, in a previous interview, Korir disclosed how he used the money to purchase a car valued at Ksh12 million. He further said that he gave his two betting friends Sh5 million each.
He previously ran for the parliamentary seat in 2017 in Bomet County’s Konoin constituency on the Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM) ticket but lost to Yegon, who is now serving a second consecutive term.
Currently, election of County Assembly speakers is ongoing after the exercise kicked off on Tuesday, September 20.
The position of the speaker has become competitive because it comes with lucrative perks and powers, as they are the third in command in the County pecking order.
According to the Salaries and Remuneration commission ( SRC) Salary guidelines, county speakers earn a Basic monthly salary of Ksh259,875.
Further, they have a Ksh20 million mortgage that allows them to build a decent home and also a car loan of Ksh4 million
Additionally, the county speaker is provided with utilities that include house attendants, fuel and commuter allowance.
