Narok: The Narok township ward by-election is gradually taking shape after the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party awarded the ticket to Kanyinke Ole Kudate, the son of the late Member of County Assembly (MCA), Lukas Kudate.
According to Kenya News Agency, Kanyinke, who is the firstborn of the late Lukas Kudate, was relatively unknown among the residents of Narok town due to his calm and quiet demeanor. However, his popularity is rapidly increasing as notable and promising contestants have put aside their ambitions to support the UDA candidate.
Among those who have stepped back to support Kanyinke is his stepmother, Sarah Kudate. She had previously vowed to vigorously pursue the MCA seat left vacant by her late husband. A closed-door meeting with members of the Kudate family and Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu publicly disclosed that Sarah Kudate and Kanyinke, who had not always seen eye to eye, agreed to collaborate for the benefit of Narok town residents.
Another prominent contender, Alfred Saruni, who was running on a Jubilee ticket, has also stepped down to support Kanyinke. He cited the importance of allowing the late MCA's son to complete his father's term. Saruni emphasized the need to focus on the bigger picture, stating that Kanyinke should carry on his father's visionary plans for the community.
Additionally, Hezron Koori and Joseph Kamau, both of whom had expressed interest in running on a UDA ticket, decided to set their ambitions aside in favor of Kanyinke. These developments have positioned Kanyinke as a strong contender in the by-election.
Kanyinke is set to compete against Douglas Masikonde, who is running on a Democratic Congress Party (DCP) ticket, and Joshua Kaputa, representing the Jubilee party. The Narok ward MCA seat became vacant on February 16, 2024, following the death of Lukas Kudate, who succumbed to a long illness at a Nairobi hospital. Lukas Kudate had been elected on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket.