A Kenyan female politician showed her son that she was not only older
than him in age, she is also more experienced and more popular
politically. Kipng’etich Kones, the son of a late Cabinet Minister
Kipkalya Kones, who ran in the Kenyan parliamentary election lost to his
mother, Beatrice Kones.
Beatrice Kone beat her son and seven
other contestants when she polled 22,796 votes against her son’s 2,410
votes. Kipng’etich who contested on a Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM) ticket
got a lot of support from outgoing Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, while his
mother contested on a Jubilee Party ticket.
Many residents of
Bomet East, the constituency of the family, said the family battle was
not blessed. Others said the rivalry was a depiction of democracy and
showed maturity as far as politics is concerned.
According to
Kenyan news website, Daily Nation, the area overwhelmingly voted for
Jubilee and it might be a reason why Kones lost to his mum. It was one
of the most watched duels in the elections since it pitted members of a
nuclear family and the outcome was eagerly awaited.
One of the
residents of the area was quoted by a local daily saying the result
should be a lesson to all young people. “You can never rise against your
parent, especially your mother and expect to succeed.
When my
mother speaks I go down on my knees,” said Mr Hezron Tangus, a Bomet
East resident. A political analyst and lecturer at Laikipia University
said it was culturally suicidal to compete against.