The Narok township ward by-election is slowly shaping up after the UDA party issued the ticket to the late Member of County Assembly (MCA’s) son, Kanyinke Ole Kudate.
Kanyinke, who is the firstborn of the late MCA Lukas Kudate, was little known among the residents in Narok town because of his calm and quiet nature.
However, he is fast gaining popularity after vocal and promising contestants put aside their ambitions to support the UDA candidate.
Among those who have stepped down to support Kanyinke is his stepmother, Sarah Kudate, who had previously vowed to leave no stone unturned until she clinched the MCA seat left by her late husband.
However, a closed-door meeting with Kudate family members and Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu revealed to the public that the two, who did not see eye to eye, had agreed to work together for the common good of the Narok town residents.
Another frontline runner, Alfred Saruni, who was running on a Jubilee ticket, stepped down to support Kanyinke, citing the need to allow the late MCA’s son to complete his father’s term.
Kipulkel called on all those who have shown interest in the MCA’s seat to put aside their ambition and support Kanyinke, saying his father was a visionary leader who had good plans for the people.
“Sometimes you have to put your ambition aside not because of fear but because of the bigger picture. I support Kanyinke to complete his father’s legacy for the remaining two years,” he said.
Others who put their ambitions aside in support of the UDA candidate are Hezron Koori and Joseph Kamau, both of whom had shown interest in vying on a UDA ticket.
Kanyinke is expected to face off against Douglas Masikonde, who is vying on a DCP ticket and Joshua Kaputa, who is vying on a Jubilee ticket.
The Narok ward MCA seat was left vacant on February 16, 2024, after the death of the then-sitting MCA Lukas Kudate, who died after a long illness at a Nairobi hospital. He had been elected in office on an ODM ticket.
By Ann Salaton
