Trans Nzoia governor-elect George Natembeya has thanked voters for showing confidence in him and electing him to succeed Patrick Khaemba.
Natembeya was declared winner of the hotly contested August 9 election with 158, 919 votes.
His closest rival, Ford Kenya secretary general Chris Wamalwa, got 79, 020 votes.
He spoke to residents of the cosmopolitan county during his stopover rallies in the five subcounties to thank them for electing him and his deputy Philomena Binea Kapkori.
“Ours is just to pledge that we shall deliver on the promises that we made to you during campaigns. We hereby rededicate ourselves to serve this great county and our people with total passion," Natembeya said.
He reached out to his rivals, saying he is ready to work with them to make the lives of all residents better.
“We have no intention to be combative. So, I reach out to all my worthy competitors to join me in building this county for the benefit of our people," he said.
This was the first time that Natembeya has vied for the top seat and won with a landslide.
The governor-elect also called on residents of Trans Nzoia to maintain peace and tolerance regardless of their political affiliations.
He said it was not worth it for anyone to fight his neighbour because of a temporary occasion like an election.
“My fellow people of Trans Nzoia, elections come and go, (but) Trans Nzoia is here to stay. Let us always remember that we are brothers and sisters. Your neighbour is not your enemy . Let us be peaceful,” Natembeya said.
“Politics is not a matter of life and death. Politicians come and go but your neighbour is your neighbour regardless of their ethnicity, their religion and their colour.”
Natembeya’s supporters erupted in chants of jubilation after the announcement of his election.
The governor-elect cautioned county government workers to ready themselves for vigorous work .
His closest competitor Wamalwa conceded defeat and wished him well during his assignment.
In a series of tweets, Wamalwa thanked the electorate and his party for the support they accorded him throughout the campaign period.
He congratulated the governor- elect, saying he had won the race.
"I wish him well," Wamalwa said.
"I have not been successful in my quest to be the second governor of our great county. I thank the Almighty God, all my supporters, from both far and near, for their unyielding support. Receive my eternal gratitude," he added.
The former legislator also thanked the people of Kiminini constituency for having elected him for two consecutive terms as their MP.
"My heartfelt gratitude to the party supporters and volunteers who have worked so hard in this campaign," he said.
Other gubernatorial candidates Wycliffe Eshiwani, Wilfred Muraya and Prof Ben Wanjala conceded, saying they looked forward to work with the governor-elect to realise rapid development.
"Natembeya’s election is a clear testimony of the trust the new governor has earned from the people of Trans Nzoia," Eshiwani said.
"I look forward to work with the new governor to grow this county to the next level," Wanjala said.
Muraya sent a congratulatory message, saying he would work with the new governor for the betterment of the people of Trans Nzoia.
Edited by Henry Makori
