Former Cherang'any Member of Parliament (MP) Joshua Kutuny has declared his intention to reclaim the parliamentary seat in the 2027 General Election. Speaking on Thursday, October 10, 2025, during a burial ceremony in Ziwa, Uasin Gishu County, Kutuny expressed confidence in his political comeback, citing his past legislative record and recent state appointment as key factors in his campaign.

Kutuny previously lost the Cherang'any seat in the 2022 General Election to Patrick Simiyu of the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K). Simiyu secured 26,748 votes, while Kutuny, running on a Jubilee Party ticket, garnered 5,312 votes. Wesley Korir of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) came in second with 26,078 votes.

Political Trajectory and Recent Appointment

Kutuny attributed his 2022 loss to his political alignment, stating, "I had not slipped out. I was trying to hustle with both sides, and I believed Uhuru, but nonetheless, Ruto recalled my efforts while with him and gave me chairmanship in the Kenya Copyright Board."

President William Ruto appointed Kutuny as the Chairperson of the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) for a three-year term, effective October 27, 2023. This appointment marked a significant return to public service for Kutuny, who had been a vocal critic of then-Deputy President William Ruto prior to the 2022 elections. Following the elections, Kutuny joined a faction of Jubilee MPs who pledged to work with President Ruto's administration.

Historical Context of Cherang'any Politics

The Cherang'any parliamentary seat has seen a dynamic political history. Kutuny had previously lost the seat to Wesley Korir in the 2013 General Election but recaptured it in 2017. Korir, a former Boston Marathon winner, ran as an independent candidate in 2013 and later joined the Jubilee Party. In 2022, Korir vied for the seat on a UDA ticket.

Patrick Simiyu, the current MP, is serving his first parliamentary term under the Democratic Action Party–Kenya (DAP-K). Simiyu had consistently vied for the Cherang'any parliamentary seat since 2013.

Role at Kenya Copyright Board

As Chairperson of KECOBO, Kutuny leads a state corporation established under Section 3 of the Copyright Act, Cap 130 of the Laws of Kenya. Its mandate involves the overall administration and enforcement of copyright and related rights in Kenya. The Chairperson's role is to provide leadership and oversight to the board, which is responsible for the day-to-day management of the organisation. The average annual salary for a Chairman of a Board in Kenya is approximately KES 4,116,600, with variations based on experience and education. Kutuny's tenure at KECOBO has seen the board lay out strategies to address challenges in the copyright sector, including engaging stakeholders and launching capacity-building programs for artists and content creators.

What to Watch

Kutuny's declaration signals an early start to political realignments in Trans Nzoia County ahead of the 2027 General Election. Observers will be keen to see how his current role at KECOBO and his past political associations influence his campaign strategy and public perception. The Cherang'any race is expected to draw significant attention, with potential candidates likely to include the incumbent Patrick Simiyu and other aspirants from various political parties.