This archive report was first published on 30 July 2019.
On July 19, 2019, Bomet Governor Joyce Laboso passed away after a long battle with cancer, leaving behind a legacy of dedicated public service. Her death has set off a chain of events that will see her deputy, Hillary Barchok, take over as governor.
Dr. Barchok, a specialist in curriculum development and former dean of the school of education at Chuka University, was plucked from university lecture halls to politics ahead of the 2017 election. He has been holding brief for Governor Laboso in the last month that she had been undergoing treatment.
According to an executive order issued by Governor Laboso on May 29, 2019, she gave Dr. Barchok the full mandate to act as governor when she was flown to the United Kingdom for specialized treatment. County Secretary Evelyne Rono was also directed to assist the deputy governor in discharging his duties.
As the county executive member for Trade and Tourism, Dr. Barchok has been acting in the position for the last year. The county has been unable to fill the position for the last two years following the rejection of three nominees by the local assembly. Juliana Chepkuto was recently cleared by the county assembly to be appointed to the position, but she was not sworn in after Governor Laboso fell ill.
With Governor Laboso's passing, Dr. Barchok is expected to ascend to the position of governor and then pick a deputy to assist him in running the county affairs. According to the Constitution, once the office of governor becomes vacant as a result of death, the deputy governor takes over for the remainder of the term.
