A mention of the name Willy Komen in Nakuru West Constituency and specifically Barut, Kwa Ronda and Kapkures may not ring a bell.
But unknown to the bustling population, probably one of the highest in Nakuru town, is that they owe their settlement to the fallen veteran politician.
Mr Komen, 77, who died on Saturday, was a quiet politician but a shrewd entrepreneur who mobilised the Kalenjin community in the early 1970s and 1980s to buy land from the white settlers in Nakuru.
KALENJIN ENTERPRISE
And through his efforts, the Kalenjin Enterprise, whose chairman was his late father Kibowen Komen, bought land in Nakuru town, Subukia, and Rongai and settled thousands of members of his community.
Other areas where he spearheaded the purchase of land included Keringet, Sirikwa, Kirobon and Simboyon.
This was probably one of the greatest unifications of the community outside President Daniel arap Moi’s powers and is today regarded as the most unifying factor for the community in Nakuru County and in Rift Valley at large.
Many of the members of the Kalenjin community will greatly remember him for ensuring they own a piece of land in the cosmopolitan county.
“His ability to mobilise the Kalenjin community, irrespective of their clans and political aff