David Rono re-elected as Bomet county workers’ union boss amid voter fraud claims
By Emmanuel Rono, January 17, 2026Members of the County Government Workers Union (CGKWU) Bomet branch have re-elected David Rono as the Executive Secretary to lead them for another 5- year term.
In an election held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at St. Bakhita Hall, Rono declared unopposed after his sole challenger, Dr Edward Sigilai, who was the Branch chairman, withdrew from the race early before the elections began.
Speaking shortly after the results were announced, David Rono praised the conduct of the union members and the transparency of the process.
“The turnout was impressive, and the process was conducted in a free, fair, and democratic manner,” Rono stated. “This victory belongs to the workers of Bomet, and we remain committed to championing their rights and welfare.”
Charles Korir secured a resounding victory for the Chairman seat, garnering 416 votes against Gideon Yegon’s 6. For the Vice Chair position, Wesley Cheruiyot claimed 411 votes, easily defeating Gilbert Ngeno, who received 19 votes.
Similarly, Benard Chirchir took the Assistant Secretary post unopposed following the withdrawal of Wilson Cheres.
Financial oversight of the union was led by Eunice C. Bett, who won the Treasurer seat with a dominant 426 votes over Joan Cherotich’s 9. She will be supported by Stanley Mutai, the new Assistant Treasurer, who secured 418 votes against Ezra Mabil’s 17.
Rose Kurgat was also elected Women Representative with 412 votes, while Nancy Rotich followed with 22.
For the Youth Representative seat, Peter Kirui won with 411 votes against Erick Langat’s 23. Finally, Joyce Chepngeno was elected Assistant Women Representative with 403 votes, defeating Jackline Chepngetich, who received 32.
Rono said that the new leadership is ready to fight for the rights of all the workers of Bomet County government who, he said, have gone for more than three months without any payments for their salaries.
He promised the workers to be patient as they are going to have a chat with the relevant stakeholders in solving the issues of Bomet County workers.
“Having been elected to this position, allow me to promise that I am going to sit in a central place in order to solve such issues we have been facing without being compromised, being guided by the Constitution of Kenya and the union,” Rono pleaded.
He further said that their leadership will not fight with any other authority but will rather fight for their rights.
The outgoing branch chairman, who was contesting for the Executive Secretary position, Dr Edward Sigilai, earlier in the morning of Saturday, January 17, 2026, withdrew from the contest, citing the violation of the voting requirements of the union.
According to Sigilai, the members were allowed to vote against the union’s constitution, saying that a total of 931 members were allowed to vote against the real members of 474.
He stated that they have been launching complaints to various relevant authorities, including the Union’s Electoral Commission, Registrar of Trade Unions, and also county Labour Officers, but their demands were not heard.
“We have launched complaints to various authorities on the issue of the violation of the Union’s voting requirements, which the union has failed to follow in today’s elections in Bomet,” Sigilai said.
He accused the General Secretary, Roba Duba, of compromising the elections, citing that he allowed non-members to participate in the elections against their union’s requirements.
“We are saying that the general secretary, Roba Duba, influenced these elections by accepting even non-members to vote in this election, which is against the law,” Sigilai said.
They threaten to withdraw their members from the union until their grievances are addressed.