United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate David Kipsang Keter has won the hotly contested Emurua Dikirr parliamentary by-election, delivering a significant political victory for President William Ruto in a race widely viewed as a test of influence in the Rift Valley.
Keter, popularly known as “Dollarline,” garnered 18,266 votes to defeat Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Vincent Kibet Rotich, who secured 10,760 votes, according to official results announced by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on Thursday night.
The by-election attracted nationwide attention due to the growing political rivalry between the ruling UDA party and DCP, a political outfit associated with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Returning Officer Caleb Gikonde declared Keter the winner at the Emurua Dikirr Technical Training Institute tallying centre after the conclusion of vote counting from all 94 polling stations.
Other candidates posted minimal numbers, with Gideon Koech of the National Vision Party Kenya (NVPK) receiving 190 votes, while Desma Cherono of PNU and Kiprono Rotich of the Revolutionary Labour Party (RLP) garnered 80 and 62 votes respectively.
A total of 29,358 valid votes were cast, while 177 ballots were rejected out of the constituency’s 44,457 registered voters.
Speaking shortly after his victory, Keter thanked residents for the overwhelming support and promised inclusive leadership focused on development and unity.
“I thank the people of Emurua Dikirr for the trust they have placed in me. I will work with all leaders and serve every resident equally,” said Keter.
He also praised the IEBC, security officers and election officials for conducting what he termed a peaceful and transparent electoral process.
The Emurua Dikirr contest was closely monitored by political observers, with many describing it as an early indicator of shifting political alignments ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Analysts noted that UDA was keen on defending its traditional Rift Valley support base amid mounting political pressure from emerging opposition formations seeking to penetrate the region.
On the other hand, DCP’s strong showing in the constituency was seen as a signal that the party could become a growing force in parts of the Rift Valley if current political realignments continue.
The parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of former MP Johanna Ngeno, who died in a helicopter crash in Nandi County in February this year.
Ngeno, a three-term legislator, had represented the constituency since 2013 under the UDA party ticket and was considered one of the region’s influential political figures.
His death triggered an intense by-election campaign that saw senior political leaders troop to the constituency in a battle viewed beyond local politics and more as a contest for regional supremacy.
