![Barchok was at pains explaining to the Senate watchdog why operational costs in governor’s office increased by Ksh100M in one year. [PHOTO | FILE]](https://k24.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/BARCHOK.jpg)
Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok has nominated David Shadrack Rotich as his deputy.
Rotich is the current Bomet County Assembly Speaker.
In a letter dated Tuesday, November 12, and addressed to Bomet MCAs, Barchok said he was forwarding Rotich’s name to the County Assembly for subsequent action, which includes endorsement or rejection.
Barchok, who served as Joyce Laboso’s deputy between August 2017 and July 2019, assumed the position of governor on August 8, when he was sworn in to take over from Laboso, who succumbed to cervical cancer on July 29.
Rotich’s nomination comes as a disappointment to a section of leaders, who were pushing for the Bomet deputy governor post to be given to a woman.
Moments after Barchok took an oath of office on August 8, a message from the Council of Governors delivered through Narok Governor, Samuel Tunai, was that he should be deputised by a woman for the remainder of his term.
“It is the wish and request of the council that you pick a female deputy in honour of the late Governor Laboso, and also to support and push for gender parity in the country,” read the message.
Speculations were rife that the post could be handed over to County Chief of Staff Jayne Sigilai, Laboso’s sister Judy Laboso, former Woman Rep Cecilia Ngetich, and former senatorial aspirant Stacy Chepkemoi.
Residents also floated the name of Education Executive Juliana Yegon. The former principal of Moi Siongiroi Girls School vied for the Sotik parliamentary seat in 2017 but lost to Dominic Koskei.
