Girl, 24, who was barred from DP Ruto’s Karen residence bags UDA nomination

The 24-year-old lady who was barred from accessing Deputy President William Ruto’s Karen residence Linet has bagged the UDA ticked for Bomet Woman Representative.

Linet Chepkorir alias Toto was the youngest candidate for the Bomet Woman Representative seat.

Toto trounced nine other contestants in the race for the UDA ticked to emerge the winner amid frustrations presumably from supporters of her opponents who kicked her agents out of Sigor and Kapsubul polling stations.

She beat Faith Chepkirui, Cicilia Chepkoech, Brenda Chepng'etich, Eunice Cherono, Susan Koech, Stacy Chepkemoi, Joan Chekirui, Beatrice Chepkorir and Eddah Chepkoech in the UDA primaries that were held on Thursday.

Toto is now guaranteed to be on the ballot on the August 9, 2022 general election in the race to replace the incumbent Joyce Korir against another youthful and worthy opponent on the CCM party ticket Irene Terer.

Toto who fundraised to raise funds for the UDA registration fees set for aspirants comes from a humble background and the common mwananchi has largely funded her campaigns.

While her competitors were campaigning atop big cars, Toto relied on favours from boda boda well-wishers and occasional lifts to traverse the expansive county of Bomet.

“I conducted a fundraising to raise the Sh125,000 for United Democratic Alliance (UDA) registration fees set for aspirants and the response was quite encouraging. I do not have the financial might my competitors are deploying, but I am depending on the goodwill of the voters in this race,” said Ms Chepkorir.

Ms Chepkoir has had her fair share of troubles in the political arena and the most incident was when the UDA Rift Valley aspirants were invited for a meeting at Ruto’s Karen residence.

When she approached the gate, the guards barred her from entering the DP’s residence and told her intruding into a leader's meeting was way out of her league. 

The security personnel at the gate warned Toto that the residence was not a playground for children and continued holding her from entering as other aspirants she travelled with were ushered in.

Chepkorir protested the treatment she received because of her appearance, which spelt limited wardrobe options.

She was dressed in a green dress, a yellow hoodie to match the party’s colour and rubber shoes.

Toto had to produce her electronically generated passcode to be allowed entry.

“Eventually, after about an hour, I was allowed in after I showed them my passcode to the meeting; electronically generated for members who have paid UDA aspirants’ fee of Sh6,000,” Chepkorir said.

Toto holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Chuka University.