Bomet County Governor Prof. Hillary Barchok began his school life at Kapkimolwa Primary School in 1981 before proceeding to Kericho High School for his secondary school education in 1990.

He was a School Captain as well as the Christian Union (CU) Chairperson at Kericho High School between 1992 and 1993. He later joined Egerton University for his undergraduate studies in 1995, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Education (Science Education) Degree and proceeded for Masters in the same institution in 2003.

Prof. Barchok was a student leader, having been elected the Chairperson of Bomet Egerton University Students Association (BEUSA) in 1999. In 2007, he enrolled in his PhD studies (Curriculum Development) at Moi University and graduated in 2011.

He was employed by the Teachers Service Commission in 2001 as a teacher at Mulot Secondary School, where he taught Chemistry and Mathematics for 10 years. Besides his classroom duties, he also served as the Director of Studies and a KNEC examiner. He was awarded the Best Special Needs Education Teacher in Bomet District in 2006.

He also taught as a part-time lecturer at Kabianga University College and Moi University Kericho Campus between 2009 and 2010. He also served as a member of the Board of Management in several schools, including Mengit Secondary School, Oloomirani Girls Secondary School, Laluk Secondary School, Kapkimolwa Secondary School, and Kalyet Secondary School.

He joined Chuka University in 2011 as a lecturer, where he rose through the ranks to become a Senior Lecturer in 2015. He served as the Dean of the Faculty of Education and Resources Development (FERD) between 2012 and 2017, after which he left the University to join politics during the run-up to the 2017 gubernatorial election as a running mate to the late Governor Dr. Joyce Laboso.

He also served as the Director of Retirement and Benefit Authorities (RBA) and Chairman of the University Survey Committee. Besides being a career educationist, Prof. Barchok has played a significant role in empowering communities by participating in and organizing activities that promote entrepreneurship skills among the youth and vulnerable members in society.

On 2nd August 2017, Dr. Joyce Laboso and Prof. Hillary Barchok were both sworn in as Governor and Deputy Governor, respectively, having won the hotly contested gubernatorial election with a landslide.

Prof. Barchok diligently served Dr. Joyce Laboso as the principal assistant until her demise on July 29, 2019. On 8th August 2019, Prof. Barchok was sworn in as the third governor of Bomet County, and he was re-elected in 2022 for his 2nd and final term.