Dr Laboso’s last executive order, as all eyes turn to deputy governor Hilary Barchok

As Bomet pays its last respects to Governor Joyce Laboso, focus shifts to Deputy Governor Hilary Barchok, who is expected to take over the instruments of power any time after her burial.

Dr Barchok has been acting governor since May 9, when Dr Laboso left the country to seek treatment in the United Kingdom, and later in India before returning to the country where she succumbed to cancer at Nairobi Hospital on Monday.

In an Executive Order, Laboso gave her deputy the full mandate when she was flown out of the country for specialised treatment.

The orders also directed county Secretary Evelyn Rono to assist the deputy governor in discharging his duties.

A brief profile on the website of the county government describes Barchok, 46, as a specialist in curriculum development. He served as the Dean, School of Education at Chuka University before plunging into politics as Laboso’s running mate.

Barchok, a father of three, also served as deputy head teacher at Mulot High School in Bomet East Constituency. He is currently listed as pastor at African Gospel Church.

He completed his Form Four education in 1993 at Kericho High School before proceeding to Egerton University for his undergraduate.

He later enrolled for Masters in Curriculum Development before proceeding to Moi University for his PhD.

Barchok was plucked from university lecture halls ahead of the 2017 elections to form the winning team that trounced Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM) party leader Isaac Ruto – the inaugural governor for Bomet.

He also served as commissioner at the Commission for Revenue Allocation.

Besides duties relating to his career as an educator, Barchok has played a significant role in empowering the community by participating and organising activities that promote entrepreneurship skills among the youth and the vulnerable in the society.

Barchok has been acting as the Trade and Tourism Executive because ward representatives had on three occasions rejected Laboso's nominee to the position.

A month ago, they approved the nomination of Juliana Chepkuto to the position, but Laboso died before she could be sworn into office.

Although described by many as laid back, shy and lacking charisma, Barchok came face to face with political intrigues in the South Rift County when a group of youth protested alleged irregular recruitment of 241 staff by the county.

The incident on June 24 saw about 50 youth storm the county headquarters, flushing out staff and ordering them to close the office.

Police arrested the rowdy youths, but in a sudden turn of events, some ward representatives, led by Majority Leader Josephat Kirui, secured their release.

Brought out

It is this incident that brought out the other side of the soft-spoken Barchok, who took his critics head-on at a prayer rally for Dr Laboso, who by then was recuperating in India.

Barchok declared that he was fully in charge of the affairs at the county in the absence of the governor and dismissed some resolutions that were passed in a meeting chaired by a local Jubilee Party official.

“I'm fully in charge of the executive arm of the county government with instruments of power having been handed over to me by Dr Laboso when she left for treatment. It is a written executive order,” said Barchok.

The county assembly leadership has declared that Barchok will be sworn in office after Laboso's burial.