Only two independent MP candidates survived the strong wave of DP William Ruto's UDA party in the North Rift, posting comanding wins in Elgeyo Marakwet county.
Lawyer Timothy Kipchumba was elected MP for Marakwet West, defeating William Kisang of UDA in the county that is a UDA stronghold.
In the same county, independent candidate Carolyne Ngelechie was elected as woman representative for Elgeyo Marakwet beating Jane Chebabai of UDA.
Only two MCAs in Elgeyo Marakwet out of 30 were elected as independent candidates.
“I thank the voters of Marakwet West for believing in me because of the manifesto and plan I had sold to them during the campaigns”, Kipchumba said.
Ngelechei said she was proud that the residents of the region had given her chance to serve as woman representative.
“I am proud to be elected and happy that everything went on smoothly. Now the hard work starts and we will work together those who won and the losers to grow our county”, Ngelechei said.
The win by the two has been attributed to mishandling of UDA primaries in the area. The two were believed to have won the primaries but the tickets were given to losers, causing Kipchumba and Ngelechei to vie as independents.
However many others who were vying as independents could not survive the UDA wave in the region where even county assemblies will be dominated by UDA MCAs.
Those who lost on independent tickets icluded outgoing MPs Alfred Keter in Nandi Hills, Vincent Tuwei in Mosop, Cornel Serem in Aldai, Dr Swarrup Mishra in Kesses, and Dr James Murgor in Keiyo North .
DP Ruto’s allies celebrated six-piece wins in most of the North Rift region electoral areas where the outgoing MPs were among the big losers.
UDA swept to victory in most of seats in Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet counties.
Newcomers won most of the parliamentary and MCA seats in the region
Among the new winners was Professor Phyllis Bartoo, who trounced outgoing Moiben MP Sila Tiren. She polled 40,800 votes while Tiren got about 8,000 votes.
In Keiyo North UDA’s Adams Kipsanai polled 26,560 votes to defeat Murgor who got 11,213 votes.
“I am happy that the people of Keiyo North have given me a chance to serve them. I will not let them down”, Kipsanai said.
Keter lost to his long-time rival Benard Kitur of UDA.
Deputy Governor Wesley Rotich of UDA also won to succeed his boss, who is outgoing governor Alex Tolgos.
Tolgos, who was vied for the Senate seat, lost to Senator Kipchumba Murkomen who won re-election for a third time.
In Nandi Governor Stephen Sang retained his seat for a second term, defeating former governor Dr Cleophas Lagat whose attempt to make a comeback failed.
After winning in Moiben Professor Bartoo said she was proud of her supporters and pledged to serve all residents equally.
“I am also proud of DP Ruto for the support he gave me to win this seat,” Bartoo said.
In DP Ruto’s home constituency of Turbo current MP Janet Sitienei defeated ODM’s Sam Mugo also known as Samkiz.
Edited by Henry Makori
