In a historic first for Baringo's political landscape, a candidate from the marginalised Endorois community has broken through the Tugen majority's dominance.
Vincent Kiprono Chemitei, aged 31, has won the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) nomination for the upcoming Senate by-election, following a landslide victory in the primaries. This has sparked talk of a new era in county politics.
In a stunning political upset that has shaken Baringo’s long-standing power structures, Mr Chemitei defied the odds to clinch the UDA Senate ticket, defeating eight rivals from the dominant Tugen bloc in a contest that marks a historic turning point.
UDA party Baringo Senate nominee Vincent Kiprono Chemitei displays his nomination certificate after being declared the winner on September 21, 2025.
Photo credit: Florah Koech | Nation
Once known for hustling at pool tables in Nakuru, the youthful Mr Chemitei has prevailed in a race against wealthy, well-connected rivals, which is a rare accomplishment for youth and community-driven politics.
Mr Chemitei’s victory is regarded as a breakthrough moment for the Pokot, Ilchamus, Turkana, Kikuyu, Endorois and Nubian communities, who have long complained of being excluded from key leadership positions at county and national levels.
Since devolved governance was introduced, the Tugen have secured all the top elective seats in Baringo.
In the 2022 general election, the gubernatorial seat went to the incumbent, Mr Benjamin Cheboi; the Woman Representative position went to Ms Florence Jematia; and the Senate seat, which is now vacant, was held by the late Mr William Cheptumo. All three winners were from the Tugen community.
In the recently concluded UDA primaries, Mr Chemitei secured 48,791 votes, overwhelmingly defeating his closest competitor, Mr Wycliffe Kipsang Tobole, who received 30,897 votes.
Mr Daniel Kiptoo came third with 23,613 votes, while the remaining candidates trailed far behind: Mr Silas Tochim (769 votes), Mr Evans Mundulel (735 votes), Mr Joseph Cherutoi (172 votes), Mr Isaiah Kirukmet (141 votes), Mr Lineus Kamket (118 votes) and Mr Reuben Chepsongol (82 votes).
With the exception of Mr Kamket, all of the other candidates are from the Tugen community, which has dominated Baringo’s political leadership since devolution began in 2013.
Kevin Keitany, a political analyst from Mogotio Sub-county, described Mr Chemitei’s victory as a dramatic political upset with far-reaching implications.
“A little-known ‘pool chalk man’ from the interior of Kisanana Ward has clinched the UDA senatorial ticket. The youthful aspirant defeated seasoned politicians and wealthy rivals to emerge as the clear winner,” said Mr Keitany.
“Coming from the minority Endorois community, he stunned observers by beating Tobole of the dominant Arror community by more than 20,000 votes. Mr Kiptoo, who had the backing of high-profile figures in the ruling party and is said to have spent hundreds of millions on his campaign, trailed in third place,” he observed.
United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party Senate nominee in Baringo County, Vincent Kiprono Chemitei, 31, being awarded a nomination certificate by the party's election board Commissioner Mary Mutinda at the Kabarnet Rehabilitation center on September 21, 2025.
Photo credit: Florah Koech | Nation
Mr Chemitei’s decision to enter the race after Senator Cheptumo’s death was initially dismissed as a long shot, but he has since become the face of what many are calling a new political era.
“His ability to switch seamlessly between Pokot, Tugen, Arror, and Kikuyu dialects allowed him to connect with voters across ethnic lines. In a county where tribal voting patterns are deeply entrenched, his multi-ethnic fluency stood out as a unifying force,” Mr Keitany observed.
Speaking after his victory was confirmed by the UDA elections board, Mr Chemitei expressed gratitude to voters across ethnic and political lines.
“I want to thank the electorate for voting for me as the UDA party flag bearer in the upcoming Senate by-election because my victory belongs to you. I promise to serve all the people with honour, irrespective of who they voted for in the primaries,” he said.
He also commended the party for conducting what he called a free and fair process, and urged his competitors to close ranks and support his candidacy ahead of the November 27 by-election.
Mr Chemitei's campaign received substantial support from minority groups, particularly the Pokot, as well as strategic backing from prominent political figures such as the MP for Mogotio, Mr Reuben Kiborek, and the MP for Tiaty, Mr William Kamket.
While some national power brokers backed Mr Tobole and Mr Kiptoo, others quietly threw their weight behind Mr Chemitei, providing resources and media visibility that transformed his campaign from a local hustle into a countywide movement.
In Tiaty, a Pokot-dominated constituency, he secured 11,731 votes, outpacing Mr Kiptoo’s 7,493 and relegating a candidate from the dominant Arror sub-tribe to just 200 votes.
In other key constituencies, namely Eldama Ravine, Mr Chemitei garnered 12,768 votes, Mr Tobole 4,671, and Mr Kiptoo 1,626. In Mogotio, he secured 7,492 votes, while Mr Tobole received 5,446. In Baringo South, he garnered 7,831 votes.
According to Mr Erick Bett, a resident of Baringo North, the candidate’s presence was felt in nearly every village.
“We have never witnessed somebody who has done such campaigns in which he could campaign in more than 20 vast villages in a day,” Mr Bett said.
He also suggested that MPs Kamket and Kiborek had played a critical role in organising and funding the campaign.
“The two MPs bankrolled and also marshalled votes for him. We also suspect that there may be some candidates from other parties who are eyeing the same seat and who want a weaker candidate to win in the nomination so that they battle out in the by-election,” he claimed.
The contest in Tiaty also reflected a larger battle between Mr Kamket and his predecessor, Mr Asman Kamama, each backing different aspirants. Ultimately, Mr Kamket’s candidate prevailed.
Mr Chemitei’s unexpected rise was driven by a highly strategic and culturally grounded campaign, informed by data and blessings. According to insiders, his team ran one of the most data-driven operations in recent Baringo history.
“Voter data was studied, scenarios were simulated, and resources were carefully allocated to priority areas. At the height of the race, Mr Chemitei was reportedly holding more than 40 meetings a day, a testament to his energy and focus,” said Mr Keitany.
Mr Chemitei also began his campaign with blessings from elders. First, he visited his aunt in Ngendalel, Pombo (Mogotio), where he received his “first cup of blessings”, as his supporters call it. He was then ceremonially endorsed by elders from the Pokot, Tugen, Lembus, and Kikuyu communities.
Strategically, he locked down Tiaty, swung Eldama Ravine, and added Mogotio and Baringo South to his tally, leaving only Baringo Central as a contested ground for his rivals.
“His victory is already being hailed as the dawn of a new political era in Baringo — one driven by youth, data, and community inclusivity rather than tribal arithmetic and big money,” said Mr Keitany.
“As the county looks ahead to the 2027 General Election, all eyes are on Mr Chemitei to see whether his grassroots magic will propel him beyond the primaries and into the Senate chambers,” he added.
