Kenya election: 24-year-old Linet Chepkorir ‘Toto’ makes history in parliament

After the general election on August 9, Linet Chepkorir, also known as “Toto,” made history by being elected as the youngest woman representative. Chepkorir, 24, a Chuka University graduate in April last year, will take office as the third woman representative in Bomet County. She defeated eight competitors who were older than her.

Chepkorir succeeds Joyce Korir. “I’m grateful for the overwhelming support I’ve received from the voters in Bomet County from the time I threw my hat in the ring. Right from the UDA party primaries and the General Election, I’ve seen and appreciate the love shown by the people,” Chepkorir said.

While her rivals traveled the county in gas-guzzling automobiles, Chepkorir used motorcycles and vehicles that were provided and fuelled by supporters to get to campaign locations, according to Nation.

Chepkorir garnered 242,775 votes in a county with 376,985 registered voters, according to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) register, defeating Alice Milgo of Chama Cha Mashinani, who obtained 43,180 votes, as well as Beatrice Chepkemoi Chebomui, who did receive 4,639 votes.

When Chepkorir attended a meeting at Deputy President William Ruto’s Karen residence, where he hosted UDA aspirants, she was put into the spotlight. Security personnel mistakenly thought she was an errant village girl who had wandered into the gathering and shut her out for approximately an hour.

After providing an electronic ticket proving she had paid the registration cost for party aspirants, she was eventually let inside.

Toto’s Family and Education 

The young politician continues to reside in Chemamul village, Merigi ward, with her parents, Richard Langat and Betty Langat.

Langat is a small-scale farmer, and his wife works as a teacher of early childhood education and development at Raiya Primary School, which is located outside of Bomet town.

Chepkorir was given the name “Toto” when she was a baby. The family’s next-door neighbor at Egerton University kept forgetting her name, so he decided to nickname her Toto instead, and the name stuck. She was unintentionally the youngest student in her class, so the name stuck.

Chepkorir was ecstatic as her parents started singing and dancing after Daniel Lenarum, the Bomet County Returning Officer, announced her as the winner and handed her the certificate.

According to the young politician, her first item on the agenda will be to support a Bill in Parliament that would require the government to give girls all around the nation free sanitary pads. She encourages young people to run for leadership positions in order to address their myriad challenges.

“I want to assure my supporters and those who didn’t vote for me that I’ll serve all without favour, and I’m asking for your support over the next five years,” she said.