WHO IS PAUL KIPRONO CHEPKWONY (TIMBILWET)

 UNIQUE GOVERNOR

Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony shows unity by feeding a cake to Ainamoi MP Benjamin Langat

By Kim Richek

-Though little is known of the controversial and learned Kericho Governor famously known as Timbilwet, The Famous South Rift has did a research and establish little of his history.

Kiprono was born in 1970 to a peasant family in Ainamoi Constituency and attended Poiywek Primary School near his home before joining Kericho High School at the same Constituency.

At Kipsigis Teachers Training College during Graduation ceremony he presided over, revealed that he was raised in tea Estates by crofter parents who picked tea leaves for survival and that his determination saw him through the ladders of success.

Teaches on importance of unity at County Prayer breakfast

 Upon excellence in Secondary School studies he moved on to Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture in 1989 to pursue a Bachelors of Science in Chemistry and graduated in 1992 where he emerged one of the best graduates.

A year later, the unstoppable innocent- looking youth determined to change the history of poor family, enrolled for his Master’s degree in Chemistry at the University of Nairobi and graduated in 1996.

While studying at UoN he secured a job at his previous University to serve as graduate assistant in 1995 and was promoted to be assistant Lecturer upon his graduation in 1997 where he served worked until 1999.

Prof. Chepkwony leads by Example cutting a cake . He is flanked by other Kericho leaders

Mixture of hunger for Education and determination to rid poverty in his home pushed him to enroll for PhD in Organic Chemistry at JKUAT in 1999 and completed in 2002.

Getting his last Degree opened several doors for him where he lectured in several institutions until he was crowned a professor of chemistry.

He worked a senior lecturer and associate professor of Biochemistry at Moi University, Chepkoilel campus, now University of Eldoret.

Chepkwony has stood unique who excellence in Education has not isolated him from his mother-tongue language. He is a real traditionalist and eloquent Kalenjin speaker who appeared as a translator of key Kalenjin words at The Hague in the recently terminated Crime charges that faced Deputy President William Ruto and journalist Joshua Sang.

Political Life

Many think that his calmness means he is green in politics, but no, Chepkwony has been in politics for more than 15 years now.

 He says, he did not join politics for fame or self-gains but to create better environment of the citizenry after making the impossible happen in his family.

“At the University, I was one of the top leaders of University Academic Staff Union   and I advocated for welfare of the union members” he says.

Chepkwony raced for Ainamoi Parliamentary seat in 2007 on ODM ticket and emerged second after the late Hon. Kimutai Too.

With Kericho Senator Aron Cheruiyot

 Upon the demise of Too, he also appeared for by-election but lost to the incumbent Hon. Benjamin Langat on ODM ticket where he went back to the university hoping for light someday.

While he was a lecturer, he witnessed for Joshua Sang at the pretrial hearing at the International Criminal Court (ICC) .This gave him a chance to sell and was indisputably elected the first governor of Kericho in 2013.

Overcoming life hurdles

Winning the seat was not the end of hurdle. His unique thinking and decisions that aim to help the people of Kericho has attracted troubles which include the malicious impeachment attempt which did not succeed.

 The soft-spoken politician has been identifying with the minority throughout his regime and has consequently filed a case in court that seeks compensation of the natives whose land was taken by the white settlers and pushed to unproductive parts in the region.

“I can’t be pushed to neglect my people for political gains, I was elected by people who saw leadership in me and I will stand with them faithfully regardless of all contemplations” he says.

The Governor has announced that he will defend his seat in next year’s General elections but seems to be firm despite emergence of tough rivals. He believes that his notable development records will see him re-elected.

His leadership has been praised by many who include Kericho Senator Aron Cheruiyot “This Governor is a prophet of change, he frequently dreams for a developed Kericho”

Cheruiyot said they are co-existing harmoniously with the governor unlike other counties and urged other counties to emulate their unity of purpose.