Governor Tolgos Cleared to Run for Elgeyo Marakwet Senate Seat

Elgeyo Marakwet governor Alex Tolgos has been approved by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to run for the Senate seat.

Tolgos, who appeared before IEBC officers early Sunday morning and presented his paperwork, was cleared and given the certificate.

Tolgos, who is stepping down as governor after two terms, will run for Senate on a Jubilee ticket under the Azimio Alliance against incumbent Onesmus Kipchumba Murkomen of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

Murkomen, a staunch supporter of Deputy President William Ruto, is seeking re-election to the Senate for the third time.

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Tolgos told the journalists outside the IEBC offices in Iten that he is ready to compete for the seat with his high school rival, Murkomen.

He claimed there was a mismatch between his office as the implementer and the Senate office, whose purpose is to oversee and advocate for increased resources for counties, during his time as governor.

“Vying for the Senate seat was not an easy decision, many have been asking why I want to be elected as the senator, it is clear, my record speaks louder,” said Tolgos.

Murkomen was cleared unopposed by the UDA party after his opponents withdrew from the primaries.

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The legislator was overwhelmingly elected in 2013, defeating the long-serving Keiyo South MP, the late Nicholas Biwott.

In 2017, he retained his seat thanks to a Jubilee ticket that received over 97 percent of the vote.

Celestine Chepsaigut, an ODM Keiyo North MP candidate, was also cleared.

Chepsaigut is the first woman to run for the Keiyo North seat, which is currently held by Dr James Murgor, who was defeated in the UDA primary.

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She stated that her administration will be dedicated to equity and development, including providing clean piped water to every farmhouse, improved roads, and improved education for all.

“Women are equally qualified for the seat. I want to bring the face of a woman and servanthood,” she said.

If the IEBC clears her, she will face Adams Kipsanai of UDA in the August General Election.

Caleb Amisi, the MP for Saboti, and Henry Ole Ndiema, the former senator for Trans Nzoia, both campaigned for peaceful campaigns, asking their followers to refrain from hooliganism.

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Former Saboti MP Wafula Lazaro and businessman Allan Chesang, both running for senator, called for any candidate found inciting violence to serve his or her political interests to be disqualified.

“We have committed ourselves to peaceful campaigns and those found fanning violence should be punished,” said Ole Ndiema.

The candidates committed to running nonviolent campaigns and asked the electoral agency to provide free and fair elections.

“We are going to play our part to ensure peaceful campaigns, and we expected IEBC to ensure the elections no rigging,” added Ole Ndiema.

They urged the agency to ensure a conducive environment for the election. ​