Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen at a past event. [Photo|hivisasa.com]
Race for the Elgeyo Marakwet County Assembly Speaker's seat has intensified with powerful individuals in the county said to be playing the cards behind the scenes to have their preferred candidate clinch the seat.
About 20 individuals have already expressed interest in the the seat that is arguably the second most powerful in the devolved units after that of governor.
Analysts say it will be a two-horse race between Ledishah Kipseii and Philemon Sabulei.
Kipseii, an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya lost to incumbent Albert Kochei in 2013 by only one vote and she hopes to be lucky this time round and become the first Woman County Assembly speaker of Elgeyo Marakwet.
For that dream to come true, she will however have to overcome Sabulei who is said to be having the blessings of the vocal Senator Kipchumba Murkomen.
Sabulei served as gubernatorial independent candidate Moses Changwony's head of secretariat.
However area governor Alex Tolgos said he does not support any candidate for the seat.
"I am not backing anyone for the position of the Speaker. I wish well all the candidates," he said in Eldoret, Wednesday.
Other candidates eyeing the seat include incumbent Albert Kochei, Brian Chebii who lost to Daniel Rono during the Jubilee primaries for Keiyo South Constituency, ICT Director in the county G.K Maiyo, Thomas Maiyo (Eldoret based lawyer), Eldoret businessman Willy Kipkiyeng, Risper Berem who is backed by Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA) Chief Executive David Kimosop and former KNUT Executive secretary Keiyo branch Barnabas Lagat among others.