After reading his mother's eulogy, the son of MP Grace Kipchoim wants to honour her by doing this

Piece by: Grace Kerongo
Lifestyle

The first born son of the late former Baringo South Member of Parliament Grace Kipchoim has joined race hoping to secure seat in the by-election.

Shadrack Kiprop, a 30-year-old medic, faces three others in the imminent jubilee party nominations, Joseph Tarus (lawyer), Paul Kimaru (businessman) and Mark Kebenei (American-based businessman).

During her funeral on May 5, Deputy President William Ruto assured Kiprop and his three siblings of the government's support.

"We shall ensure we support you in any way together with the entire family even in absence of your departed parents," he said in Mochongoi.

The ceremony was attended by a hundreds of jubilee leaders. She succumbed to a colon cancer.

Among the list of candidates is a poor retired teacher–cum pastor 63-year old Edward Tamar who asks God to provide him with money to vie for the seat in the coming by-election.

“I am totally broke, I even don’t know what I need resources for but all I know God will provide me money for facilitation, I have consulted him and hopefully I will win,” he told media in Kabarnet town on Wednesday.

During her time the late Kipchoim was known for her tireless efforts to fight insecurity and her impartial utilization of the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) to foster education, water and infrastructure

She also cried for her people Tugen and Ilchamus who were being threatened, killed and their livestock stolen by the armed bandits from the neighbouring community.

The late MP is also remembered for defying her sickness, moving with the medical gadgets mounted on her body to go and mourn with her people amid series of bandit attacks last year.

She always prayed to God that one day the bordering Tugen, Pokot and Ilchamus communities to end the killings and cattle theft and coexist in peace.

Despite being very sick and bedridden, the MP won 10,300 votes to thrash her opponent Charles Kamuren who scored 10,184 during the August 8th elections. She also beat six other male contestants.