UDA Flexes Muscle as David Kipsang Keter Wins Emurua Dikirr By-Election in Landslide

United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate David Kipsang Keter has clinched a commanding victory in the fiercely contested Emurua Dikirr Constituency by-election, cementing the ruling party’s grip on the South Rift political battleground.

According to official results announced by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Keter garnered 18,266 votes across all 94 polling stations, comfortably defeating his closest rival, Vincent Kibet Rotich of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), who secured 10,760 votes.

The by-election attracted significant political attention as it was viewed as an early test of influence between President William Ruto’s UDA and the fast-rising DCP outfit associated with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Other candidates trailed far behind in the race, with Gideon Koech of the NVPK Party receiving 190 votes, Desma Cherono of PNU managing 80 votes, while Kiprono Rotich of the RLP party garnered 62 votes.

IEBC data showed that 29,358 valid votes were cast, with 177 rejected ballots from a total registered voter population of 44,457.

The mini-poll was occasioned by the death of former Emurua Dikirr MP Johanna Ngeno, who died in a tragic plane crash in February this year, leaving the seat vacant.

Keter’s victory is expected to strengthen UDA’s political foothold in Narok County and the larger Rift Valley region, even as emerging parties intensify efforts to challenge the ruling party’s dominance ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Political analysts now view the outcome as a major boost for UDA, while also signaling that DCP is rapidly gaining traction as a formidable opposition force in key voting blocs.