Meet the men in the life of Kenya's youngest MP

For seven months, nobody knew that Bomet Women Representative Linet Chepkorir alias Toto was dating anyone.In fact, just after the August 9 elections while appearing on a TV interview, she boldly revealed that she was single, having amazingly risen to fame.Since then, Bomet voters and Kenyans, in general, have been left guessing if the politician in her twenties was secretly dating; more so with frequent photos of her in the company of potential suitors resurfacing.

Godfrey Kimutai Tanui

Perhaps, she was waiting for the right time to unveil the love of her life on Valentine's Day. The lucky man, who has been off the public limelight, is Godfrey Kimutai Tanui from Konoin. He proposed on the lover's day on Tuesday catching many by surprise. Kimutai is an assistant to a second-term MCA in Bomet County and his unveiling came as a surprise to many.

A photo posted on social media shows him kneeling in front of a decor of flowers in a heart shape and the words "Will you marry me?" She said "Yes."The floor of the room was decorated with petals of white and red roses as well as candles leading up to where Godfrey is down one knee proposing.Toto and Kimutai did not respond to our request to share their journey before going public.

Nakiko Korir

However, soon after the engagement photos went viral, friends and followers of a man identified as Nakiko Korir started reaching out to find out if all was well.

All along, many assumed that the Woman Rep was having a thing with Korir judging from some online photos and talks. In fact, she visited him in the hospital last weekend, showing how close they are.

Before, the two had been spotted together on several occasions in what friends and Toto's allies suspected the two were an item. But in an interview with The Nairobian, Korir downplayed the whole situation and even wished Toto the best as she begins the journey with Kimutai."The whole thing started last year during an end-of-the-year event which was attended by Toto," Korir explained. Explaining, "When it was her turn to speak, she teased some young men to be brave and propose to her. Then she mentioned my name among many people who were present at the event.""At the time, we were just strangers only that we attended the same event. In fact, people, including my friends, took it seriously when she visited me in the hospital last week when I was unwell," Korir added.

Gideon Cheruiyot

Then there is Gideon Cheruiyot, the boda boda rider who stuck with her during the campaigns ahead of the August 9 elections. Toto even appreciated him for his kindness when making her maiden speech in October. "He decided to assist me with his boda boda. He fueled it with his own money and took me to the field in the morning and back home in the evening. Gideon, wherever you are, may God bless you," she stated.

Dating ought not to be publicized

But while she is hogging the limelight, Nicoletta Mungai, a relationship therapist, observes that dating ought not to be publicized more so during this digital age."When dating, you don't need to date in public. Many politicians have kept their families and relationships very private. In my view, she (Toto) needs someone to walk with and instill etiquette in her," Mungai observes.She says the politician has joined the league of people who must follow protocol and thus, at her age, doing some things that commoners are doing could expose her to scandal. "In my view, she is young and she needs to be told what other girls her age are doing because she is above that. Her name could be tarnished thus the biggest worry is if she has the same resilience to hold on to what will come out after that," the therapist explains.

At the same time, she argues that "We don't know much about prominent and some rich people because they prefer to keep their affairs away from the public and that should teach us a lot," Mungai adds.