Narok county 2022 gubernatorial race has attracted six aspirants. Narok West Member of Parliament Gabriel Tong’oyo, his Narok South counterpart Dr Korei Lemein, Woman Rep Soipan Kudate, Youth Affairs Principal Secretary Charles Sunkuli and his brother former Ambassador Andrew Sunkuli and Labour Chief Administrative Secretary Patrick Ntutu are positioning themselves to succeed Governor Samuel Tunai, who is serving his second and last term.

The list is likely to grow longer as other entrants such as Narok North MP Moitalel ole Kenta are said to be harbouring similar ambitions. 

However, clannism among the Maasai community, who are the majority in the county and other communities including Kipsigis, Kikuyu and Kisii are likely to play a role in shaping the gubernatorial race. 

Among the Maasai, Purko sub-tribe, which is the largest, often influence how the community votes. 

The total number of registered voters in the county as published by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission in 2017 was 341,730 and is distributed as follows: Narok North (78,380), Kilgoris (67,079), Emurua Dikirr (35,531), Narok East (39,559), Narok South (65,772) and Narok West (55,409).

Sizeable vote

Narok South, Transmara East and Narok West constituencies have a sizable chunk of votes from the Kipsigis community who largely influence elections outcome. 

Narok West MP Gabriel ole Tong’oyo, has the backing of Deputy President William Ruto and is likely to command a sizable vote from the Kipsigis in the two constituencies.

He is also likely to command a huge portion of the Maasai votes, because he is from the Purko, who are also the majority of the Maasai community in Narok.

 Mercy Tembur from Emurua Dikirr  constituency (Transmara East sub-county) recently rooted for Tong’oyo at Talek in Narok West and urged Talek residents to vote for him as the next governor.

She had contested for the Woman Rep as an Independent contestant in 2013 and managed 53,981 votes against Kudate’s 108,380 votes.

Speaking at the funeral of Senior Sergeant Bob Kipkemoi Aruasa, brother to the Deputy Governor Evelyn Aruasa at Olmekenyu in Narok South on July 3, Tong’oyo said: “We know that President Uhuru Kenyatta’s second and last term is almost coming to an end and the nearest person, who understands where he has left is none other than his deputy  William Ruto,” Tong’oyo said. 

Narok Woman Rep is the first woman to eye for the top seat in the dominantly patriarchal County. 

Stands chance

Tajewuo Ole Kiramba, a resident of Olokurto, he says he does not believe a woman stands a chance to clinch the gubernatorial seat in the otherwise male controlled community.

Despite all odds, Kudate believes she can clinch the seat and propel the county to the next level. She is banking on her development record among women and youth to propel her. 

The Youth Affairs PS is a close ally of President  Uhuru and has been given plum positions in Government.

He was the Principal Secretary for Devolution before he was moved to the Youth Affairs docket. “Later next year, I will take over the peace initiative from where Tunai will leave it.

To continue uniting residents of this cosmopolitan county,” Sunkuli said at Aruasa’s funeral. Sunkuli’s plans might be affected by his  brother Andrew, who has been endorsed by elders. 

Andrew is a vibrant and vocal politician who vied for the Senate but lost to Stephen Kanyinge ole Ntutu, who vied on the United Republican Party ticket.  

“I want to tell my sister Kudate and Tong’oyo and all others, because I was told to wait and I waited, you should also wait for a while,’ Ntutu said recently.

Ntutu was in the governor’s race in 2017 and came second after garnering 93,628 votes against Tunai’s 146,660 s. 

 Ntutu who vied on the Chama Cha Mashinani ticket conceded defeat and is now back to the race again.

Narok South legislator Dr Lemein, an educationist, is counting on his populous Purko clan and development record to propel him to victory. He is also a close ally of Deputy President William Ruto.

Appropriate time

Narok North legislator, Moitalel Kenta, who comes from a renowned Purko family, recently told off people he accused of using his name to gain popularity. Kenta said that he would declare his interest and position at an appropriate time.

The legislator, a lawyer, has been an ardent supporter of ODM leader Raila Odinga and President Uhuru. He might be banking on Building Bridges Initiative appeal outcome that will be delivered on August 20 to declare his interest. -KNA