How WhatsApp group propelled 24-year-old Linet Toto's journey into Parliament

Linet garnered 242, 775 votes flooring nine older women who were in the race including nominated Senator Dr Alice Milgo who came a distant second with 43,180, a  margin of close to 200,000 votes.

In the village of Chemamul in Bomet East Sub County, friends, family and relatives are gathered to celebrate their daughter.

"This is my home area, Chemamul village, and this is where I grew up. I went to Kapsimbiri Primary school from there I joined Kapsimbiri High School in Form 1 and in Form 2 went to a certain Siwot School in Longisa. After Form 4, I joined Tharaka University College and I graduated last year having pursued procurement, then I joined politics... I feel so good and so happy having been elected at this age,” Linet said.

Regarding her journey to victory, her elder brother Collins Yegon recalls, “Vyenye alimaliza akaanza kujua mambo ya WhatsApp so kuna group ingine tulikuwa tumeform ya ward yetu inaitwa Merigi Ward Forum so watu wakaanza kumuita Woman Rep juu alikuwa among the few ladies wenye walikuwa wa hio group."

He added: “So vile aliitwa woman rep na hio wakati siasa karibu inaanza so nyumbani akaanza kusema anataka kuvie tukadhani maybe alikuwa anajoke.”

It took two public incidents for her father Richard Langat and her family to realize that she was serious about her ambitions.

 “Vile alisema sikuwa naamini nilifikiria ni mchezo ya watoto siku ingine tukaenda mazishi wakasema all aspirants wasimame akasimama na kuenda mbele nikaangalia chini…siku ingine tena tukiwa mahali wakauliza aspirants wasimame akasimama. Jioni nikamuuliza uko serious? Akasema yes nikamwambia basi endelea,” her father explained.

Linet’s mum weighed in to say, “Hata sisi hatukuwa tunaamini tulikuwa tunaona ni mdogo, hatuna pesa ya kutumia so tunamwambia asiombe hii nafasi but hatukujua this was from God.”

While her competitors traversed the five sub-counties of Bomet with fuel-guzzling vehicles, Linet walked to campaign venues, markets, funerals, and churches as well as motorcycles and later vehicles donated and fuelled by well-wishers.

”It has been a challenge but I want to thank God for standing with me… you can imagine having graduated, I don’t have finances, I don’t have a job and I come from a humble background so my parents also could not finance my campaigns,” Linet stated.

Linet’s elder brother speaks of how they used baking powder to put up posters and the struggle of walking long distances before well-wishers donated a car.

“In campaign times, role yangu ilikuwa story na posters, tulikuwa tunatumia pikipiki kwanza, mpaka beshte yetu akatupatia gari. So akiongelesha watu mimi nazunguka kuweka posters,” Tegon said.

At her age, Linet attributes her success to hard work and strong support from family, the church and the people of Bomet County. Her parents are confident she will deliver as a leader.

“Tuko na furaha tele… ata nikichinjwa ni furaha tu juu hapa nyumbani ametuinua kweli. Tuko chini kabisa, mimi niko nyumbani hustling, bibi yangu ni mwalimu wa nursery na hawa watoto wote kusoma ni Mungu tu,” Linet’s father said.

Her brother added: “Nimefurahi mpaka najiuliza kumbe Mungu anapeana second chance juu nilikuwa nimelose hope. Mimi ni graduate, nilifanya Bachelor of Commerce Accounting option na niko nyumbani na wengine wananifuata wananitegemea. Wakati amechukua nimepata ile courage ya kuongea.”

Linet’s mother added: “Toto ako na hio uwezo kwa sababu enyewe ni mdogo lakini akili yake ni kubwa kuliko hio mwili wake, mimi namjua sababu nimelea nimemuona so hio ni kidogo kwake tunataka aongoze Kenya nzima.”

During her acceptance speech, Linet promised to work with her competitors and all residents of Bomet irrespective of their political affiliation