Two independent MPs-elect and two MCAs-elect have joined the Kenya Kwanza team to back President-elect William Ruto.
The four survived the strong wave by Ruto and his UDA party in the North Rift region, posting strong wins in Elgeyo Marakwet county.
The independent MPs won't change Ruto's numbers in Parliament, they are still listed as independent. However, when it comes to voting for house leadership, such as the speaker, their votes will count for Ruto's choice.
They also are expected to support his policies and programmes.
Kenya Kwanza has somewhat fewer MPs compared to Azimio so both sides are wooing independents as they seek to control leadership of the bicameral House.
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, defeating Jane Chebabai of UDA.
Only two MCAs out of 30 in Elgeyo Marakwet were elected as independent candidates.
They include Asbel Kiptoo of Sengwer ward and Justine Koech of Arror ward.
All four visited Ruto’s Karen residence to declare their allegiance to him.
“We will work with the President-elect and Kenya Kwanza team so that together we achieve development for our country," Kipchumba said.
He said they were happy Ruto was now President-elect.
Kipchumba said voters were looking for good leaders and that is why they were elected in the UDA-dominated region.
“I thank the voters of Marakwet West for believing in me because of the manifesto and plan I explained during the campaigns," Kipchumba said.
Ngelechei said she too would would work with Ruto’s team in Parliament.
“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 those who lost, to grow our county.
The win by the four 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 run as independents.
Many others running as independents could not survive the UDA wave in the region where even county assemblies will be dominated by MCAs from the United Democratic Alliance.
Those who lost on independent tickets included outgoing MPs Alfred Keter in Nandi Hills, Vincent Tuwei in Mosop, Cornelly Serem in Aldai, Dr Swarup Mishra in Kesses and Dr James Murgor in Keiyo North.
DP Ruto’s allies celebrated six-piece wins in most of the North Rift electoral areas where outgoing MPs were among the big losers.
UDA swept most 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 Silas 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.
(Edited by V. Graham)
