Trans Nzoia gubernatorial hopeful Mr George Natembeya has picked Mrs Philomena Bineah Kapkor as his running mate ahead of upcoming national polls.
Bineah, an alumnus of the University of Nairobi, is a professional banker who served at diverse periods and in various capacities at Barclays Bank, Kitale and Bungoma branches.
According to her profile, Bineah headed the bank’s north rift region based in Eldoret and was instrumental for its exponential growth, an experience many of her supporters believe makes her the suitable choice for the Deputy Governor’s position.
“Having also served as Barclays Vice President for African continent, Bineah stands out as experienced administrator with accumulated managerial skills requisite for running affairs of Trans Nzoia county government,” remarked Natembeya when he briefed the press at his Milimani home in Kitale town Monday.
Prior to unveiling Bineah as his running mate, the former Rift Valley Regional Commission (RC) had assured members of the Sabaot community he would pick his running mate from one of their own, a promise he had fulfilled.
A section of the community’s elders interviewed by Kenya News Agency (KNA), described Natembeya’s move as a mark of a brave and bold leader.
This was in view of the fact that the former RC went outside a list of six names that had been presented to him by the community’s council of elders.
Among those whose names had featured on the nominee list as possible candidates for the running mate slot is former Trans Nzoia County Water and Environment Chief Officer John Mengwa.
Others include Candidates Isaac Ndiema who worked for several Clearing and Forwarding agencies, Martin Ngomat, an Agronomist by profession, Stanley Kirui, a Pilot and Geoffrey Cherongis, an Educationist.
Also touted for the post was current County Executive Committee Member (CEC) for Health in West Pokot County Milcah Psiwa.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, former Kitale municipality Mayor Mr Pius Kauka exuded confidence in the Natembeya-Bineah gubernatorial ticket under Democratic Alliance Party of Kenya (DAP-K).
“We congratulate Natembeya for picking his running mate from our Sabaot community. We assure him that he will get overwhelming support,” pointed out Kauka who hails from the community.
He vowed to lobby the electorate from the entire Sabaot and other communities to ensure the pair garnered enough votes to catapult it to power.
He claimed the community had been side-lined by the current regime, citing lack of representation in key executive positions.
Peter Ndara Timoi, a resident of Endebess Sub County, observed that Natembeya had done a commendable thing to pick a well-known professional from the corporate world.
“We believe that the duo will positively and largely transform this county which has been lagging behind in terms of economic growth and development,” observed Timoi.
The duo’s sentiments were echoed by Mr. Fredrick Shatukha, a voter in Trans Nzoia County, who emphasized choosing a female candidate was a plus on Natembeya’s strategy aimed at wooing Trans Nzoia votes.
