UDA’s David Keter wins Emurua Dikirr Constituency mini polls
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).
The polls were conducted on May 14 following the death of former area MP Johana Ngeno in a chopper crash.
Keter secured 18,266 votes across the 94 polling stations in the constituency, emerging 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, while Desma Cherono of PNU garnered 80 votes. Kiprono Rotich of the RLP party trailed with 62 votes.
A total of 29,358 valid votes were cast in the by-election, while 177 ballots were rejected, out of the constituency’s 44,457 registered voters.
The by-election was conducted following the death of former Emurua Dikirr MP Johanna Ngeno, who lost his life in a plane crash in February this year.
Keter’s victory hands UDA a win in the constituency as the party seeks to maintain its political dominance in the region amid growing competition from emerging political outfits, including DCP led by former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua.
Gachagua took to the 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 DCP party celebrating one year stormed president William Ruto’s perceived stronghold in style, gave him a run for his money and contemporaries forcing him to release millions of shillings of taxpayer money through a deprived 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 thanks the voters in the constituency for showing independence of mind, rationality and exercising your democratic right and refusing 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.