Nairobi — THE defeat of former President Moi's sons in the concluded General Election was a major statement about the clamour for change.

Mr Jonathan Toroitich, Mr Raymond Moi, and Mr Gideon Moi lost their bid for the Eldama Ravine, Rongai, and Baringo Central parliamentary seats to newcomers - all on ODM ticket.

The scenario witnessed in largely Tugen districts of Koibatek and Baringo where Jonathan and Gideon were candidates, was repeated in the five Kipsigis districts of Kericho, Bomet, Bureti, Kipkelion, and Sotik where ODM swept the polls.

In Eldama Ravine, Moi's eldest son lost to the youthful Mr Moses Lessonet, while in Rongai another son, Raymond, lost to ODM's Luka Kigen.

The same scenario was repeated in Baringo Central where out-going MP, Gideon Moi lost to former Lands Commissioner, Mr Sammy Mwaita of ODM.

In the South Rift, 13 former MPs from the Kipsigis region lost their seats in five districts.

Former Belgut MP, the youthful Charles Keter (Belgut) was the only outgoing MP to have successfully defended his seat. A former MP Mr Isaac Ruto (Chepalungu) bounced back after five years.

Two former nominated MPs Mr Franklin Bett (Bureti) and Mr Kipkalya Kones (Bomet) on ODM tickets were elected.

Leading the pack of those defeated is Health Minister Mr Paul Sang, whose bid for a third term in Bureti constituency failed.  Other former MPs who lost include Mr John Koech (Chepalungu), Nick Salat (Bomet), Anthony Kimetto (Sotik), Ayub Chepkwony (Belgut), Noah Too (Ainamoi) and Kipng'eno arap Ngeny (Ainamoi). 

Other losers were Mr Sammy Koech (Konoin), Mr Raphael Kitur (Konoin), Dr Esther Keino (Belgut), Dr Sammy Ruto (Kipkelion), Bishop Daniel Tanui (Kipkelion), and Mr Samwel Rotich (Kipkelion).

The election of newcomers, taking place at a time when the retired president had traversed the entire Rift Valley region campaigning for President Kibaki, was a statement the voters were tired of the past.

The elections have also marked major transformation in the cultural beliefs of the Kalenjin community.

For the first time, the Tugen picked a woman candidate, Prof Hellen Sambili to become the MP for Mogotio in Koibatek District. The Kipsigis elected Ms Lorna Laboso the first woman MP in Sotik.

Sambili clinched the Mogotio seat on a UDM ticket after bagging 7,558 votes against outgoing MP, Mr Joseph Korir of ODM who got 7,236.