United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate David Kipsang Keter was declared the winner of the Emurua Dikirr Constituency by-election held on Thursday, according to official results released by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Keter secured 18,266 votes across the 94 polling stations in the constituency. He emerged ahead of his closest challenger, Vincent Kibet Rotich of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), who garnered 10,760 votes.
Other candidates in the race included Gideon Koech of the NVPK Party, who received 190 votes. Desma Cherono of PNU garnered 80 votes. Lastly, Kiprono Rotich of the RLP party trailed with 62 votes.
A total of 29,358 valid votes were cast in the by-election. 177 ballots were rejected out of the constituency’s 44,457 registered voters.
The by-election followed the death of former Emurua Dikirr MP Johanna Ngeno. He died in a plane crash in February this year.
Keter’s victory gives UDA a win in the constituency. The party seeks to maintain its political dominance in the region. This comes amid growing competition from emerging political outfits, including DCP led by former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua.
After being declared winner, Keter said: “I am grateful for the support the people of Emurua Dikirr have accorded me, the confidence on my leadership and I wish to assure them that I would not let them down”.
Gachagua took to social media to congratulate Rotich for the splendid performance that has shaken south Rift politics.
“A score of 10,760 votes is no mean feat. Congratulations to your team of campaigners and most notably the women who campaigned for you at night and odd hours. Kenya remains hopeful and greatly indebted to you and hope for a better future.”
“I am so excited that you and your team worked tirelessly and made DCP Party a key player in the Rift Valley politics, reflecting the Kenya’s focus for a united Nation that political parties do not represent perceptions of regional and parochial representation but a Kenya that is deprived of healthcare, education, security a bright future for its future generations,” he said.
He added that the DCP party, while celebrating its first anniversary, stormed President William Ruto’s perceived stronghold in style. It gave him a strong challenge and forced his contemporaries to compete. He further said this pushed the release of millions of shillings in taxpayer funds through a strained payslip.
“My brother Vincent Rotich, we accept with grace your credible performance where for all practical purposes you are the hero of the day.”
“The DCP Party has made a heroic entry in Kenyan politics and is undoubtedly the most credible alternative vehicle to all aspirants who do not enjoy the favour of the ruling and corrupt elite, who cherish democracy and detest sycophancy,” he added.
He also thanked voters in the constituency for their independence of mind. He praised their rationality and exercise of democratic rights. Gachagua also noted that they refused to be intimidated.
“I will, on my return from an overseas trip to the United Kingdom, personally visit you and thank those who campaigned for and supported Hon. Vincent Rotich. Watch this space, Vincent Rotich will be the candidate to beat on 10th August 2027,” he said.
Featured image: IEBC on Facebook
