David Kipsang Keter defeats Bernard Kipkoech Ngeno by a narrow margin as UDA prepares for the May 14 parliamentary by-election.
David Kipsang Keter has won the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) nomination for the Emurua Dikirr parliamentary by-election after a closely contested exercise held ahead of the May 14 by-election.
According to official results announced after the tallying process, Keter garnered 13,749 votes to secure the party ticket, narrowly defeating Bernard Kipkoech Ngeno, who received 13,394 votes. The slim margin of just 355 votes underscored the intensity of the contest and the high stakes involved in securing the ruling party’s ticket for the forthcoming parliamentary race.
The nomination attracted significant attention due to the tight margin between the two candidates and the impressive turnout of voters in the constituency. Party officials described the exercise as largely peaceful, with voters turning out in large numbers to participate in the democratic process. The high voter participation was seen as an indication of the political vitality of the constituency and the keen interest residents have in the upcoming by-election.
Leaders who commented on the outcome praised both candidates and the electorate for maintaining calm and decorum during the process. Political analysts noted that the peaceful conduct of the nominations sets a positive tone for the main by-election scheduled for next month.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen congratulated Keter on his victory, describing the win as a testament to the candidate’s perseverance throughout the campaign period.
“Hearty congratulations to David Keter on winning the hotly contested UDA nomination for Emurua Dikirr Constituency. Your patience, persistence, and resilience have finally paid off,” Murkomen said in a statement following the announcement of the results.
The Cabinet Secretary also took time to acknowledge the spirited campaign mounted by Ngeno, who emerged as a formidable challenger in the race. He commended the runner-up for his sportsmanship and encouraged him to remain engaged in the political landscape of the constituency.
“To Bernard Ng’eno, who came a close second, well done for putting up a spirited fight. You have demonstrated great strength and sportsmanship, and you undoubtedly have a bright future ahead,” Murkomen added.
The Emurua Dikirr parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of the previous officeholder, triggering a by-election that has drawn significant political interest. The constituency, located in Narok County, has historically been a competitive electoral battleground, with various political formations vying for the support of its predominantly pastoralist and agricultural communities.
With the UDA nominations now concluded, Keter is expected to officially embark on his campaign for the May 14 by-election. The UDA party, which commands a strong presence in the Rift Valley region, is considered a frontrunner in the race, though political observers anticipate that other candidates from opposition parties and independent contenders will also mount serious campaigns.
Keter’s victory in the nominations positions him as the flag-bearer of the ruling party, a significant advantage given the party’s organizational strength and the backing of the national government. However, the narrow margin of his win has also signaled that the constituency’s electorate is deeply divided, a factor that could influence the dynamics of the main election.
As the campaign season officially gets underway, Keter will be seeking to consolidate support from both his own backers and those who rallied behind Ngeno, while also reaching out to undecided voters. For his part, Ngeno’s strong showing in the nominations has established him as a significant political force in the constituency, and his next steps will be closely watched by political observers.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has confirmed that preparations for the May 14 by-election are on course, with security arrangements and logistics being finalized to ensure a smooth electoral process. The Emurua Dikirr by-election is among several polls scheduled in the coming weeks, serving as an important test of political temperatures in the region.
All eyes now turn to the main campaign period, where Keter will face off against candidates from other political parties and independent aspirants in what is expected to be a keenly contested race to represent the people of Emurua Dikirr in the National Assembly.
