Linet Chepkorir Toto of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has defied odds and become Bomet’s and Kenya’s youngest ever Women Representative at the National Assembly. Toto managed to get 242,775 votes for the seat, which was enough to clinch the position from her other eight competitors.
Toto dusted her runners up with a margin of nearly 200,000 votes, which is enough to explain that she is a youthful sensation in her home county.
In second place was Alice Milgo of CCM who got 43,180 votes. The others vying for the seat were Beatrice Chebomui (4,649), Hellen Taplilei (1,665), Susan Koech (1,247), and Viola Tesot (1,740), Florence Birir (2,045) and Susan Korir (1,275).
Toto rose to fame towards the end of 2021 when she attended a party’s aspirants meeting at Ruto’s residence in Karen. A photo she took is what made her famous after it was shared by her friends all over the internet.
Speaking to the press after obtaining her certificate from IEBC, she expressed gratitude to her voters for believing in her. Toto has urged her fellow youth to gain confidence for such seats saying that age should not be a factor for anyone aspiring to lead.
“I am happy the people of Bomet trusted and supported me, and gave me their votes. I will not take it for granted,” she said.
Toto comes from a very humble background in the Chemamul area, Bomet county. When she announced her intentions to vie for the Women Rep seat under UDA, the party dismissed her as a joker. However, she was later allowed to vie after UDA saw the popularity she had across Bomet.
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Because her parents were unemployed, Linet said she was able to pay for her high school and university studies through bursaries and Harambees. Her resilience, hard work and humility finally paid off.
Before casting her vote on ballot day, she said a prayer to the Almighty and few days later she was announced the undisputed winner of the seat.
“We have WON! Thank you very much to the Residents of Bomet for giving me the mandate to contest for the Women Rep seat on the UDA ticket. I am a testimony to God’s greatness. God bless you. I love you.” She wrote on her socials.