Narok Woman representative Ms. Soipan Kudate has officially announced her intention to vye for the Narok governorship position in the 2022 elections.
Speaking while distributing water tanks in three schools at Mulot area, Narok East sub county, Ms. Kudate said time has come for women from pastoralist communities to compete with men for political positions instead of merely waiting to be nominated to office.
“I have made up my mind to vie for the top most seat in the county and I am not about to give up. I will solder on to the end and I am sure I will comfortably win,” she said.
The second-term county woman representative expressed confidence that she had what it takes to vie for the county chief’s position saying her two terms in parliament had given her enough exposure and experience on how to develop the county once given the chance.
While wooing the Kipsigis community to vote in her favour, Ms. Kudate said she will ensure equitable distribution of resources to all the communities living in the county.
“Narok is a cosmopolitan county that incorporates all tribes and races so the leadership should be inclusive to ensure free interaction, peace and unity,” she remarked.
The leaders are hoping to succeed incumbent Governor Samuel Tunai, who is serving his second and final term.
“When I look at the woman representative seat, it is just like milking a goat. The time is ripe for women to milk a cow,” she said.
She asked women in the county to back her in the coming elections, as they are the majority voters, to enable her win comfortably since she is the only woman who has expressed interest in the seat.
“Governor Samuel Tunai has led us properly in the two terms he has been in power. I want to promise you I will do even better if you give me a chance to lead you,” she said.
Currently, the only elected woman leader in Narok County is the woman representative seat that cannot be occupied by a man- all other seats including the seat of Members of County Assembly (MCA) are men. The county assembly has 17 women nominated to meet the two thirds gender rule.
Others who have shown interest in the gubernatorial seat include Youth Affairs Principal Secretary Charles Sunkuli, his elder brother Andrew Sunkuli, Chief Administrative Secretary Labour Patrick Ntutu, Narok west MP Gabriel Togoyo and Narok South MP Korei Lemain.
by Ann Salaton
