From Kenya's iconic tea plantations to the shifting dynamics of devolved politics, Kericho County stands as one of the South Rift's most influential regions. Discover how agriculture, local leadership, land issues, and economic reforms have shaped elections since 2013—and why the county's tea farmers and growing economy will remain central to the road toward the 2027 General Election.

Dr. Erick Mutai, Governor Kericho County PHOTO | COURTESY /: Parliament of Kenya 

Kericho County showcases the South Rift Valley of Kenya at its finest. The county offers a rich diversity of attractions, from endless green tea plantations to the culture and heritage of the Kipsigis people. It hosts large multinational companies such as James Finlay (through Brown Investments) and Williamson Tea Kenya, which manage the vast fields alongside local processors like Kenya Tea Packers (Ketepa).

Smallholdings, dairy cattle farming, and sugarcane cultivation—especially in the lower Soin area—provide significant household livelihoods for locals. This agricultural base remains a key determinant of economic and political affairs.

 Demographics‍‌‍‍‌ Framework

Read More

  1. Homa Bay as the Test: Sifuna, ODM and Raila’s Legacy
  2. The Vote Runs Deep: Mosop’s Unshaken Political Loyalty
  3. IEBC’s New 2027 Campaign Spending Limits Explained

Area: 2,436.1 square kilometers

2019 Census Population Report: 901,777 people

Governor Electoral History

2013 General Election

Winner: Prof. Paul Kiprono Chepkwony (URP) – 181,862 votes

Runner-up: Charles Davy Kipngetich Arap Kirui (KANU) – 31,254 votes

2017 General Election

Winner: Prof. Paul Kiprono Chepkwony (Jubilee Party) – 287,511 votes

Runner-up: Jonah Kipkemoi Keter (KANU) – 14,392 votes

2022 General Election

Winner: Dr. Erick Mutai (UDA) – 316,768 votes

Runner-up: Charles Keter (UDA Primaries) – 60,342 votes (General election runner-up not provided in the information you shared.)

Senator Electoral History

2013 General Election

Winner: Charles Keter (URP) – 201,363 votes

Runner-up: Richard Kipkemoi Too (NVP)

2017 General Election

Winner: Aaron Cheruiyot (Jubilee Party) – 278,059 votes

Runner-up: Paul Sang (KANU) – 25,124 votes

2022 General Election

Winner: Aaron Cheruiyot (UDA) – 292,295 votes

Runner-up: Queenas Chepkemoi (Independent) – 36,876 votes

Following the onset of Devolution in 2013, county-level politics became highly competitive. Attention heavily shifted toward intra-party nomination battles. Smallholder farmers make up the main voting constituency, meaning local representatives work hard to secure farm subsidies, fair land-use policies, and balanced deals with multinationals. Discontent over historical land ownership remains a source of friction.

Members of Parliament by Constituency

CONSTITUENCYMPSPARTY
Soin/Sigowet  Justice KemeiUDA
Kipkelion  WestHillary KosgeiUDA
Kipkelion East Joseph Cherorot UDA
Bureti Kibet Komingoi UDA
Belgut Nelson Koech UDA
Ainamoi Benjamin LangatUDA

Economy and Infrastructure

Other recent flashpoints include the 0.8% levy on tea exports implemented in 2026. Governor Mutai and local farmers have strongly petitioned the Tea Board of Kenya to abolish this policy. Furthermore, automated harvesting methods used by multinationals have resulted in local job losses and labor demonstrations. A 2025 committee of inquiry suggested a balanced mechanization-to-manual framework to protect local livelihoods.

Environmental pressures also threaten the Mau Forest complex, which serves as Kericho's primary water tower. To counter this, the county is utilizing its Sh1.2 billion development budget to support roads, healthcare, MSMEs, industrial parks, and climate change adaptation initiatives, including the widespread distribution of certified tree seedlings.

Do you have updates & corrections about this constituency? If you have information that should be captured, or notice data that has changed or is inaccurately presented, kindly write to us at [email protected].