Wisley Rotich Biography
Wisley Rotich currently serves as the second governor of Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya. He assumed office on August 9, 2022, succeeding the outgoing governor Alex Tolgos, who had completed his two terms.
He is also a former deputy governor of the same county and a member of the UDA party.
He is active on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, where he shares his views on various issues affecting his county and the country at large.
Wisley Rotich Age
Wisley Rotich is 37 years old as of 2024.
Wisley Rotich Early and Education
Wisley Rotich was born on 1 January 1986 in a humble family in Elgeyo Marakwet County, a region known for producing some of the world’s best long-distance runners. He grew up in a rural village, where he attended the local primary school. He showed great interest and talent in academics and sports from an early age.
He was a bright student who excelled in his studies and a promising athlete who participated in various competitions. He completed his primary education in 1998 and joined a prestigious secondary school in the county.
In 2002, Wisley Rotich sat for his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams and scored an impressive grade of A. He was among the top performers in the country and secured a place at the University of Nairobi, the oldest and largest university in Kenya.
He enrolled in the Faculty of Arts and pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Sociology. He graduated with honors in 2006 and joined the civil service as a district officer.
Wisley Rotich continued his education while working as a civil servant. He enrolled in a Master of Arts program in Public Administration at the University of Nairobi in 2008 and completed it in 2010.
He also pursued a Diploma in Project Management at the Kenya Institute of Management in 2011 and a Certificate in Leadership and Governance at the Strathmore Business School in 2012. He was keen to enhance his skills and knowledge in various fields related to his career and interests.
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Wisley Rotich Career and Achievements
Wisley Rotich began his career as a civil servant in 2006, after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Sociology from the University of Nairobi. He worked as a district officer in various regions of the country, where he gained experience and exposure in public administration and service delivery.
Wisley Rotich entered politics in 2013, when he joined the newly formed UDA party, which was allied to the then Deputy President William Ruto. He contested for the position of deputy governor of Elgeyo Marakwet County and won alongside Alex Tolgos, who became the governor.
He served as the deputy governor for two terms, from 2013 to 2022, and played a key role in implementing various development projects and initiatives in the county. He also represented the county in various forums and events at the national and international level.
Wisley Rotich decided to run for the governorship of Elgeyo Marakwet County in 2022, following the completion of Alex Tolgos’ second and final term. He faced stiff competition from other candidates, including the former senator Kipchumba Murkomen and the former MP David Kimaiyo. He campaigned on a platform of continuity, transformation, and empowerment, promising to build on the achievements of the previous administration and address the challenges facing the county.
He also pledged to promote sports, tourism, agriculture, and education in the county. He won the election with a landslide victory, garnering 72% of the votes cast. He was sworn in as the governor on 8 September 2022 and became the youngest governor in the country.
Wisley Rotich has been praised for his visionary and progressive leadership as the governor of Elgeyo Marakwet County. He has initiated and overseen several projects and programs that have improved the welfare and livelihoods of the residents of the county. Some of his notable achievements include:
- Establishing scholarship deals with Canadian universities for students from the county
- Launching the Elgeyo Marakwet County Development Fund, which allocates funds for community-driven projects in every ward of the county.
- Enhancing the health sector by equipping and upgrading health facilities, increasing the number of health workers, and expanding the coverage of the universal health care program.
- Supporting the agricultural sector by providing subsidized inputs, extension services, value addition, and market linkages for farmers.
- Developing the sports sector by constructing and renovating stadiums, training camps, and tracks, and sponsoring local athletes and coaches to participate in national and international competitions.
Wisley Rotich has also faced some challenges and criticisms in his career as the governor of Elgeyo Marakwet County. Some of the issues that have been raised against him include:
- Allegations of corruption and mismanagement of public funds, especially in relation to the county development fund and the Covid-19 emergency fund.
- Accusations of nepotism and favoritism in the appointment and promotion of county staff and officials.
- Clashes with the county assembly over the approval of the county budget and the oversight of the executive.
- Disputes with the national government over the allocation and disbursement of funds to the county and the implementation of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
Wisley Rotich Personal Life, Wife and Children
Wisley Rotich is married and has three children. He is a devout Christian and attends the African Inland Church. He enjoys reading, traveling, and watching sports.
Wisley Rotich Net Worth
Wisley Rotich has an estimated net worth of $200,000 as of 2024.
Wisley Rotich Social Media Handles
- Facebook: Wisley Rotich
- Twitter: @rotichwisley
