The gubernatorial seat for 2022 in Bomet county is going to be a competitive one since newcomers have shown interest, among them a senior government official and several political leaders who are currently serving as MP.
Among those whose names have been mentioned that have shown interest for the seat include Bomet senator Christopher Langat, county women rep Joyce Korir, Bomet Central MP Ronald Tonui, former Konoin MP Julius Kones and former governor Isaac Ruto will battle it out with the current governor Hillary Barchok. Former MP Paul Bii is favoured by deputy president William Ruto.
Others are yet to come out but his name is mentioned across the county, including Mining and Petroleum chief administrative secretary John Mosonik, a resident of Sotik subcounty.
As 2022 approaches, residents of Bomet county will have had enough time to identify the best candidate among those who have shown interest for the governor’s seat.
In the past, the county was known for political chaos and external interference in the county politics. It was also at the time when former governor Ruto was a powerful man when he served as the chairman for council of governors.
The current situation in the county is silent but members of county assembly are the people who matter as the executive are not felt in the county.
Former Bomet governor Isaac Ruto
The county requires a leader who will employ consultative leadership for the sake of development rather than a dictator who does his own things without consulting those serving in different sectors of the economy.
Ruto is among those topping the list but his political party will determine his destiny. Most of the aspirants are in Jubilee, a party that is not sure if it will be popular in the next elections. Ruto is the Chama Cha Mashinani party leader.
The field is already crowded with some who are not going to make impact politically though they want to contest for the seat.
The person to bring reforms and development in Bomet county politics is a new person with new ideas and not political leaders who will not add any value to the county.
All the aspirants are politicians except Mosonik who is currently a civil servant and if indeed he will contest for the seat, then it is not going to be easy for other candidates competing with him.
Mosonik, the former principal secretary for Infrastructure has served in former president Daniel Moi and Uhuru Kenyatta regimes, he is the man to watch in Bomet county politics of 2022.
He is yet to declare his candidature but his movement and development record speak for itself and will boost his chances in case he contests the post.
The politics of regional balancing in Bomet is expected to feature when the time comes. Former governor is a resident of Chepalungu while Mosonik hails from Sotik constituency. The late governor Joyce Laboso was a resident of Sotik. Barchok is a resident of Bomet East and MP Tonui and Korir are from Bomet Central. Barchok is under pressure to run in 2022.
The late Dr. Joyce Laboso
If regional balancing is a factor then, Konoin has chances of getting a governor since they have never had even deputy governor. Charles Langat served as the deputy governor for a short period in Ruto’s regime but the rest have had an opportunity to serve the county in senior positions.
The county requires leaders who can inject new ideas and not leaders who keep on politicking day in day out.
Bomet Central MP is a long serving legislator and is said to be trying his luck in the seat while senator Langat may not have impact in Bomet politics.
Korir who rose from a civic leader, mayor and former member of county assembly is now dreaming of being Bomet governor.
Kones on his part has in the past contested the seat but has been defeated twice by Ruto and in the last election by Laboso.
