Boda254
JF-Expert Member
- Feb 26, 2015
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The battle for the Bomet East parliamentary seat in this year’s General Election will, interestingly, be between a mother and her son.
The contest pits Jubilee Party candidate Beatrice Kones – the wife of former minister Kipkalya Kones – against her firstborn Kevin, who was nominated by Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM) to vie for the seat.
The duel has sparked excitement among residents who are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the unusual competition.
To some, the contest is a pointer to democracy which allows anyone to vie for any elective position of their choice. But to others, the contest is a case of family discord.
However, in an interview with the Nation, Ms Kones exuded confidence, saying she will win the seat. “I will easily trounce my son and reclaim the seat I lost in 2013,” she said.
Mr Kones, however, believes he will emerge the winner.
He said his mother had nothing new to offer residents of Bomet if that she did not accomplish when she succeeded his father who died in 2008.
“It is my belief that CCM stands for what we aspire for as a people. Look at its stand on devolution. That is what I stand for since my late father also did the same,” he said.
HER HUSBAND
Ms Kones was first elected MP following the death of her husband in a plane crash in Enoosopukia, Narok.
The former Cabinet minister died alongside Lorna Laboso, the sister of National Assembly deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso among others.
The seat, has since independence, been revolving around the two families of Mr Isaac Kipkorir Salat, a former assistant minister in retired President Daniel arap Moi’s regime and that of Mr Kones.
Mr Salat, who is the father of Kanu secretary-general Nick Salat, was the region’s MP from 1979 to 1987 when he died following a short illness.
This paved way for Mr Kones to succeed him a year later. He was MP until his death in 2008. His wife succeeded him in a by-election for the seat and subsequently lost to outgoing Bomet MP Bernard Bett in the last General Election.
Besides, the mother and son duel, also in the race is Mr Amos Rotich, who is contesting the seat as an independent candidate. A number of residents interviewed believe that the two family members should agree on who will be on the ballot for the sake of unity.
However, Mr Kones said he will not heed the calls to settle on one candidate through consensus.
The contest pits Jubilee Party candidate Beatrice Kones – the wife of former minister Kipkalya Kones – against her firstborn Kevin, who was nominated by Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM) to vie for the seat.
The duel has sparked excitement among residents who are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the unusual competition.
To some, the contest is a pointer to democracy which allows anyone to vie for any elective position of their choice. But to others, the contest is a case of family discord.
However, in an interview with the Nation, Ms Kones exuded confidence, saying she will win the seat. “I will easily trounce my son and reclaim the seat I lost in 2013,” she said.
Mr Kones, however, believes he will emerge the winner.
He said his mother had nothing new to offer residents of Bomet if that she did not accomplish when she succeeded his father who died in 2008.
“It is my belief that CCM stands for what we aspire for as a people. Look at its stand on devolution. That is what I stand for since my late father also did the same,” he said.
HER HUSBAND
Ms Kones was first elected MP following the death of her husband in a plane crash in Enoosopukia, Narok.
The former Cabinet minister died alongside Lorna Laboso, the sister of National Assembly deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso among others.
The seat, has since independence, been revolving around the two families of Mr Isaac Kipkorir Salat, a former assistant minister in retired President Daniel arap Moi’s regime and that of Mr Kones.
Mr Salat, who is the father of Kanu secretary-general Nick Salat, was the region’s MP from 1979 to 1987 when he died following a short illness.
This paved way for Mr Kones to succeed him a year later. He was MP until his death in 2008. His wife succeeded him in a by-election for the seat and subsequently lost to outgoing Bomet MP Bernard Bett in the last General Election.
Besides, the mother and son duel, also in the race is Mr Amos Rotich, who is contesting the seat as an independent candidate. A number of residents interviewed believe that the two family members should agree on who will be on the ballot for the sake of unity.
However, Mr Kones said he will not heed the calls to settle on one candidate through consensus.
