The first Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi who successfully weaved his way back to office through UDA party ticket was Friday given his certificate amid cheers by his supporters.
Cheboi who was the long serving CEO for Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), before joining politics in 2013 when he had contested and won via the defunct URP party.
During the 2017 General Elections Cheboi defended his seat through Jubilee party but lost to the incumbent Stanley Kiptis during party primaries.
Cheboi now joins a list of few inaugural governors who made a comeback to office including Simon Kachapin of West Pokot and Kenneth Lusaka of Bungoma.
The former HELB boss was highly rated amongst his competitors according to reviews obtained by KNA through various social media platforms and even during several sessions at people’s parliament in Kabarnet town, the county headquarters.
Cheboi who garnered 137, 486 votes was followed in the second position by third term Eldama Ravine MP Moses Lessonet who contested as an Independent candidate and got 60, 879 votes while the incumbent Kiptis who vied on an Independent ticket got 17, 646 votes according to the final results announced by County Returning Officer, John Mwangi.
After receiving his victory certificate, Cheboi addressed the gathering inside the county tallying centre at Kenya School of Government Baringo campus and immediately went to the CBD of Kabarnet town where he appreciated the electorate who braved rains as they listened to his address.
Cheboi who will be deputized by Charles Kipngok pledged to embark on redeeming the lost glory of Baringo.
“A quality of life for our people is what we so desire to improve from where we are now. We have wanting services in terms of health, security and even our ability to produce what we can eat,” he said.
The Baringo governor elect also pledged to address youth unemployment and other teething issues affecting his electorates through collaboration with various leaders within the county and the person who will be declared as the fifth president of Kenya.
Cheboi asked for full support from all the county residents as he prepares to take over office as a new governor saying rather than politicking over his leadership he encourages people to make objective criticism that will help his administration to improve service delivery.
By Vincent Miningwo and Joshua Kibet
