Frontrunners in Race to Succeed Murkomen, Duale & Alice Wahome

Collage of Cabinet Secretaries Aden Duale, Kipchumba Murkomen and Alice Wahome. File
Collage of Cabinet Secretaries Aden Duale, Kipchumba Murkomen and Alice Wahome. File
Kenyans.co.ke

By-elections are set to be held for two parliamentary seats and one senatorial position following the appointment of three members of parliament to Cabinet.

The three are former Garissa Township lawmaker Aden Duale, Kandara's Alice Wahome and Kipchumba Murkomen who served as Elgeyo Marakwet Senator.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on Sunday, October 30 announced that the mini polls will take place on Thursday, January 5, 2023.

Aspirants, some of whom lost to the three in the August 9 race, have thrown their hats in the ring and have started to prepare for the impending by-elections.

Human rights activist Jerotich Seii
Human rights activist Jerotich Seii
Kenyans.co.ke

Elgeyo Marakwet

In Elgeyo Marakwet county, those eyeing the seat include former Keiyo South MP Jackson Kiptanui (Keiyo South), human rights activist Jerotich Seii, and entrepreneur Tim Kipchumba.

Former MP Kiptanui ran for governor in 2017 against the then governor Alex Tolgos and lost. He sought to vie again in 2022 but pulled out of the race last minute supporting Joseph Boinnet. He now hopes to succeed Murkomen as the senator.

Activist Jerotich Seii born to two civil servants, Maj (Rtd) John Seii, and former ambassador, Tabitha Seii is a vocal human rights defender and was part of the Linda Katiba movement that took on the controversial Building Bridges Initiative - BBI process that was nullified by the court. 

She also spearheaded campaigns that sought to call out the exploitation of electricity consumers in the country.

She is banking on her experience in championing for the rights of ordinary people to succeed Murkomen.

Tim Kipchumba aged 37, who grew up in Kapkomora village in Elgeyo Elgeyo Marakwet County is seeking to use his grass to grace background to endear himself to the masses. 

Kipchumba is a recipient of 2015 Business Daily top 40 under 40 mens award and a co-founder of Questworks, a firm of consultants in the real estate industry, and co-Author and mentor at Mentorthon.

Former Senator Murkomen garnered 141,091 votes against Tolgos’ 20,648 of Jubilee party.

Garissa Township

In Garissa Township Abdi Nasir Dolal alias Jofle of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Abdullahi Gabane (UPIA) have declared interest to succeed Defence Secretary Mr Duale.

Dolal managed 5,980 votes while Gabane got 5,552 in the last contest.

Alice Wahome's Successor

In Kandara, current Ithiru ward MCA Kibe wa Sally who is also the Murang’a county assembly majority leader is eyeing the seat.

Waithira Muithirania, a journalist, who contested for Murang’a Woman Rep on a Jubilee party, has since ditched Azimio and could be planning to join the ruling Kenya Kwanza Alliance to seek the mandate of Kandara residents.

Chege Njuguna  polled 19,260 votes on Chama cha Kazi ticket coming second after Wahome who polled 39,009 votes.

Former Murang'a Women Representative Aspirant and radio presenter Waithira Muithirania.COURTESY
Former Murang'a Women Representative Aspirant and radio presenter Waithira Muithirania.COURTESY
Kenyans.co.ke