Widow of ward rep wins hubby's seat

The widow of a deceased Elgeyo Marakwet Member of County Assembly (MCA) has been elected to replace him in a by-election.

Priscilla Kurgat (pictured) of Jubilee Party garnered 3,170 votes, beating her closest challenger Timothy Kemboi of Maendeleo Chap Chap (MCC) who got 1,003 votes to win the Lelan Ward seat.

The other candidates Salome Biwott of Kadu Asili got 979 votes, Philip Kiptanui of Grand Dream Development Party 20 votes while Pius Rotich of Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM) managed 13 votes in the Friday by-election.

Kurgat’s husband Vincent Tanui, who was also the Elgeyo Marakwet County Assembly agriculture committee chairman, died on November 10 last year after a battle with cancer.

Addressing her after she was declared winner, Ms Kurgat pledged to complete development projects initiated by her late husband.

“I will work very hard to ensure that the development agenda of Lelan Ward continues,” she said.

Marakwet West IEBC constituency coordinator Mathew Chenger reported that 5,185 out of the ward’s 8,366 registered voters turned up to vote, representing a 61.9 per cent voter turnout.