Created in 2013, Sigowet-Soin has quickly become one of Kericho County's most competitive constituencies. Bordering Kisumu County and anchored by sugarcane farming, its politics have been defined by the rivalry between Justice Kemei and Benard Koros. As infrastructure projects stall and demographics evolve, the constituency remains one to watch ahead of future elections.

Down in the lower reaches of Kericho, where the land flattens out to Kisumu and the air is warmer, sits Sigowet-Soin. 

It’s not the classic tea highlands most people picture when they think of this county. The soils are different, the rains less reliable, and the politics have a sharper personal edge.

Demographics and Administrative Unit 

This constituency was carved out ahead of the 2013 election from pieces of Belgut and Ainamoi. Today it covers about 466 square kilometres and is home to roughly 126,500 people according to the 2019 census. It borders Ainamoi, Belgut and Bureti on the Kericho side, and Nyakach, Nyando and Muhoroni across the county line. The population is mostly Kalenjin, with noticeable Kisii and Luo communities mixed in. Most families still rely on sugarcane, maize and livestock.

MP Election Summary (2013-2022)

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What stands out here is the long-running duel between two men: Justice Kipsang Kemei and Benard Kipsengeret Koros. Party labels have changed over the years, but the contest has stayed personal.

In 2013, when the seat was brand new, Kemei won it on a URP ticket with 16,684 votes. Koros, running on a KANU ticket, came second with 11,102 votes out of 33,260 valid votes cast.

In 2017, four years later, the tables turned. Koros, this time as an independent, took the seat with 22,952 votes. Kemei, now on a Jubilee ticket, managed 13,087 out of 36,444 valid votes.

Then in 2022 Kemei came back under the UDA banner and won with 28,398 votes. Koros, again independent, finished with 17,543. That was out of 46,740 valid votes, giving Kemei just over 60 per cent.

It’s a clear pattern of power flipping back and forth. Local networks, incumbency and the national mood all play a part. The rise of UDA in 2022 clearly helped Kemei regain the seat.

Economy and Infrastructure

Sugarcane dominates the landscape—maize and livestock fill in the rest. Trading centres like Kipsitet keep local commerce moving. The big promise hanging over the area is the Soin-Koru Multi-Purpose Dam. If it ever gets finished, it should ease the annual flooding on the Nyando River and bring irrigation and domestic water to both Kericho and Kisumu sides. Progress has been slow and stop-start, but the project remains the single biggest infrastructure bet for the constituency.

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