In Baringo, Tiaty MP Kamket retains seat despite UDA wave
Outspoken Tiaty MP William Kamket has retained his seat against a strong United Democratic Alliance (UDA) wave in Baringo.
Kamket, who vied on a Kanu ticket, got 17,933 votes to floor former MP Asman Kamama of Kenya Union Party (KUP), who got 13,037 votes. Peter Ng’elelyo of UDA got a paltry 110 votes.
Kamket becomes the only Azimio-One Kenya MP in Baringo County, a UDA stronghold. The other constituencies in Baringo County were all swept by UDA candidates Reuben Kiborek (Mogotio), Musa Sirma (Eldama Ravine), Joshua Kandie (Baringo Central), Joseph Makilap (Baringo North), and Charles Kamuren (Baringo South).
The loss in a blow to Kamama, who was seeking a political comeback after being in the cold for five years.
The constituency is perceived as a stronghold of Kanu, which clinched all the elective posts in the 2017 polls.
Kanu also reaped big in the constituency after all five MCAs were elected on its ticket. They include Daniel Tuwit (Ribkwo/Kositei), Sam Lourien (Tirioko), Maria Losile (Loyamorok), Solomon Makal (Kolowa), Clement Lomaringoria (Silale) and Shadrack Mailuk (Tangulbei/Korosi).
Though they lost their seats to UDA candidates, Senator Moi and Woman Representative Gladwell Cheruiyot were voted for overwhelmingly in Tiaty.
But who is Kamket?
The legislator is not new to controversy. Early last year, he was arrested by police for allegedly fanning tension in Laikipia which left many people dead after two groups fought.
Kamket is a career journalist. He was arrested from his Kositei home in Tiaty and taken to Rift Valley Region Criminal Investigations Office in Nakuru.
In 2015, the Kanu legislator and two Baringo Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) were arraigned in court to answer incitement to violence charges.
Sparking conflict
The trio was accused of sparking conflict between Pokot and Turkana communities in volatile Kapedo at the border of Baringo and Turkana counties. Many lives were lost, including those of 22 police officers.
Kamket, who was dramatically arrested at Jomo Kenyatta Airport, Nairobi, as he was about to fly out to Istanbul, Turkey, for an official visit, dismissed the incitement claims and accused his opponents of orchestrating the arrest.
Then Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo toured Baringo County following the killings. With the case pending in court, Baringo MCAs successfully ousted Kamket as Speaker.
Kamket and the MCAs Nelson Lotela (Silale Ward) and Daniel Tuwit (Ribkwo/Kositei) also faced a second charge of conspiracy to commit a felony.
