Disquiet has emerged in Elgeyo Marakwet County over the succession of Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, who was nominated by President William Ruto to lead the Transport, Roads and Public Works ministry.
Speaking during the funeral service of Henry Rotich, where Murkomen was present, a section of leaders from the county warned the outgoing senator and the UDA leadership against meddling with county politics.
In his address on Saturday, October 1, Marakwet East MP David Kangogo, asked Murkomen to allow the people to choose a leader, whom they deem best fit to represent them.
"Before William Ruto took you in and made you his protege, it is the people who elected you and put you in the spotlight. So, we do not want you to endorse anyone, let the people anoint another young lad to take your place," Kangogo remarked.
His Keiyo South counterpart Gideon Kimaiyo claimed that he was privy to information that a number of politicians eyeing the senatorial seat had pitched camp in Nairobi seeking endorsement from the party.
"People who think that you can sit pretty and wait to be endorsed in Nairobi, you are mistaken. As for you, Murkomen, do not let anyone clutch onto you, with the hope of getting your support," Kimaiyo stated.
In response to the call out by the leaders, Murkomen who is serving his third term as Senator, assured that he would sit on the fence and respect the will of the people.
"It is the people who will decide who will become our next senator, and I will support whoever will be elected 100 percent," the Cabinet Secretary nominee affirmed.
So far, at least 30 people have declared interest in the senatorial race. Among them are former governor Alex Tolgos, renowned activist Jerotich Seii and real estate and lawyer Tim Kichumba.
In what is likely to be a tightly contested race, the inclusivity factor may play out, with leaders arguing that the seat should be left to Keyio South, which has neither produced a governor nor senator from the inception of devolution.
With UDA's wave having swept across the Rift Valley region in the August 9 General Election, any candidate who secures the party ticket has a higher chance of clinching the seat.
All eyes are on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to announce the date of the by-election not only in Elgeyo Maraket but also Bungoma County, Kandara and Garissa Township constituencies.
In Bungoma, Moses Wetangula was elected of the National Assembly, while in Kandara Ruto picked current MP Alice Wahome to be the country's next Water Cabinet Secretary. Aden Duale of Garissa Township is set to be in charge of teh Defense Ministry.
