Samson Kiprotich Cherarkey (often spelled Cherargei) is a Kenyan politician who serves as the Senator for Nandi County. A prominent figure within the Kenyan political landscape, he is known for his vocal advocacy regarding devolution, public accountability, and legislative oversight. He is a member of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), which is part of the Kenya Kwanza coalition. Born in 1978, Cherarkey’s educational journey began at Cheptarit Primary School in Mosoriot, where he studied from 1996 to 2002. He subsequently attended Kapsabet Boys’ High School in Nandi County from 2003 to 2006. Following his secondary education, he pursued a legal career, enrolling at the Moi University School of Law in Eldoret. He graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with honours. He furthered his professional qualifications by enrolling at the Kenya School of Law, earning a Post Graduate Diploma in Law, which qualified him as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya. Cherarkey’s political career began in earnest during the 2017 Kenyan general elections, when he successfully contested the Nandi County senatorial seat under the Jubilee Party ticket. His victory marked his entry into the Senate of Kenya, where he quickly gained a reputation for being an assertive legislator. In the 2022 general elections, he shifted his political allegiance to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), a party led by President William Ruto. Despite the change in party affiliation, Cherarkey retained his seat, securing a second term as the Senator for Nandi County. Throughout his tenure in the Senate, Cherarkey has focused heavily on the oversight of county government operations. He has consistently championed the strengthening of devolution, often engaging in robust debates concerning the allocation and utilization of funds by county governments. He is known for demanding rigorous accountability from governors and county officials regarding the expenditure of public resources. His parliamentary activity includes sponsoring legislative bills aimed at improving governance and local administration, such as proposals concerning the prevention of livestock theft and amendments to county government frameworks. Cherarkey is widely recognized for his active participation in Senate floor debates and his frequent media presence, where he articulates the positions of his party and the executive branch. His political style is characterized by a confrontational approach to oversight, particularly in his interactions with the Council of Governors and other executive bodies, which he often challenges to adhere to constitutional requirements for transparency. As of early 2026, he continues to play a significant role in the Senate, maintaining a sharp focus on the intersection of national policy and county-level implementation. While his political career has occasionally been marked by public controversy and heated rhetoric, he remains a central and influential figure in Nandi County politics and the broader Kenya Kwanza governance structure.