Baringo Central constituency parliamentary seat aspirant Dr Salome Chelimo . [Courtesy]
As the 2027 succession politics intensify, the political landscape is shifting in Baringo Central with three women seeking to turn the tables in a race traditionally dominated by men.
Female aspirants who are seeking to unseat the incumbent Joshua Kandie are: Dr Milkah Toromo, Dr Salome Chelimo and Betty Birchogo.
Kandie, who trounced Sammy Mwaita in 2017, will be defending his seat for a third consecutive term on the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket.
The entry of female aspirants marks an historic moment for the constituency, as it is the first time Baringo Central is witnessing multiple strong female contenders in a single election cycle.
In the 2013 elections, the only notable female aspirant, Leah Manyarkiy, finished third in a race won by Mwaita (a former Commissioner of Lands).
Apart from the Woman Representative seat being held by Florence Jematiah, female participation in Baringo County politics has remained limited, making the current developments a significant shift in local politics.
Indeed, four other women have held elective seats in the past, among them: Helen Sambili (Mogotio parliamentary seat), the late Grace Kipchoim (Baringo South parliamentary seat), Grace Kiptui and Gladwel Cheruiyot (both Woman Representative seats).