Tembelio MCA-elect thanks Ruto after securing seat unopposed

Reuben Kigen Tobosei is now counting down to his swearing-in as the next MCA for Tembelio Ward in Uasin Gishu county

As candidates in Thursday’s by-elections wait anxiously for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to declare final results, one man was already assured of victory.

Reuben Kigen Tobosei is now counting down to his swearing-in as the next MCA for Tembelio Ward in Uasin Gishu County, having been elected into office unopposed.

On November 1, IEBC officially gazetted Tobosei and Philip Kipkosgei Kiprutto of Metkei Ward in Elgeyo Marakwet as duly elected after no other party presented opponents to challenge them.

Both are members of the President William Ruto-led United Democratic Alliance (UDA). 

Their unopposed victories meant the commission conducted polls in only 22 of the 24 electoral areas initially scheduled for Thursday’s by-elections.

Speaking earlier in the day, Tobosei expressed gratitude to the President, whom he credited for the political environment that enabled his rare unopposed win.

“I’m very happy today, and I’m looking forward to working with my people of Tembelio,” he said.

Tobosei thanked residents for the confidence they demonstrated by choosing not to field an opponent.

“I understand elections are being held in other places except for me and my friend in Metkei because of the respect you gave President William Ruto, this being his stronghold,” he said.

The MCA-elect attributed the outcome to what he described as the strong organisation of UDA, saying it gave voters little reason to seek alternative political platforms.

Tobosei also extended appreciation to Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii, whose decision in August 2024 to appoint Evans Kipruto Kapkea as his deputy created the vacancy he will now be filling once he takes oath.

Kapkea replaced John Barorot, who resigned.

Tobosei said the transition not only opened the opportunity for him but also strengthened leadership cohesion in the county.

“I look forward to working with all the leaders in Uasin Gishu, and I ask the residents to unite behind us,” he said.

Across the rest of the country, voting closed at 5 pm in most polling stations, with tallying beginning shortly thereafter.

By 10 pm, the IEBC results portal showed that only 32 out of 2,345 tallying centres—just 1.36 per cent—had submitted their final results.

Elections were held across six constituencies, 15 wards and in Baringo county, where voters elected a new senator to replace William Kamket.

IEBC is expected to begin releasing comprehensive final results in the early hours of Friday as more polling stations transmit their tallies.