A 31-year-old former pool-table hustler nicknamed the “chalk man” has pulled off one of the most unlikely victories in recent Kenyan politics, winning the Baringo County Senate seat in a landslide on Thursday.
Vincent Chemitei of the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) polled 55,246 votes – over 76% of the total – to replace William Cheptumo who died in February 2025.
County returning officer John Mwangi declared him the winner in Kabarnet early Friday. His closest rival, Steve Kipruto of Republican Liberal Party, managed only 13,037 votes.
Gideon Moi exit clears path
The race had been expected to pit Chemitei against veteran politician Gideon Moi, chairman of the Kenya African National Union and son of former president Daniel arap Moi. Gideon Moi withdrew at the eleventh hour after a deal with President William Ruto, leaving the UDA candidate with a clear run.
From Nakuru pool halls to Senate
Until recently, the 31-year-old from Mochongoi ward in Baringo South earned a living chalking cues in Nakuru bars and running small businesses. On Friday he promised to unite the county and deliver development.
“I thank Baringo people for trusting a young man from a minority community,” Chemitei told jubilant supporters. “I will work with every leader to bring water, roads and security.”
Breaking Tugen dominance
Chemitei belongs to the Ilchamus community, one of several minority groups that have long complained of marginalisation by the majority Tugen since devolution in 2013. All top county seats have historically gone to Tugen candidates.
The new senator swept all six constituencies, taking more than 91% in Pokot-dominated Tiaty (10,347 out of 11,327 votes) and 78% in Mogotio, stronghold of his ally Reuben Kiborek, the local MP.
Low turnout raises concern
Only 72,990 of the county’s 281,053 registered voters cast ballots – a turnout of 26%. Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission chief executive Anne Nderitu called the figure worrying.
Chemitei’s rags-to-Senate journey has already become the talk of Kenyan political circles, proof that in the hustle of politics, even the “chalk man” can sometimes pot the black.
