UDA’s David Keter wins Emurua Dikirr by-election

Emurua Dikirr Returning Officer Caleb Gikonde (left) presents the winner’s certificate to UDA candidate David Keter(right) after he was declared the winner of the Emurua Dikirr parliamentary by-election. 

UDA candidate David Keter, popularly known as Dollarline, has been declared the winner of the highly contested Emurua Dikirr constituency by-election.

Keter secured 18,266 votes, defeating his closest challenger, Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Vincent Kibet Rotich, who garnered 10,760 votes in the mini-poll that attracted significant political attention across the country.

Bomet-based lawyer Gideon Koech of the National Vision Party (NVP) finished a distant third with 190 votes.

Desma Cherono of PNU and Kipronoh Rotich of the Revolutionary Labour Party (RLP) garnered 80 and 62 votes respectively.

The results were officially announced by Returning Officer Caleb Gikonde at the Emurua Dikirr Technical Training Institute tallying centre on Thursday night, following a day-long counting exercise from the constituency’s 94 polling stations.

Speaking shortly after being declared the winner, Keter thanked the residents of Emurua Dikirr for overwhelmingly supporting his candidature and placing their trust in him.

“I want to thank the people of Emurua Dikirr for electing me. I will serve all residents equally regardless of how they voted,” said Keter.

The incoming MP pledged to unite residents and work closely with leaders across the political divide to spearhead development projects in the constituency.

Keter also commended the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), security agencies, and election officials for overseeing what he described as a peaceful, free, and fair electoral process.

The political contest between UDA and DCP was widely viewed as a battle of influence between President William Ruto, the UDA party leader and his former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of DCP.

Analysts said Ruto was seeking to stamp authority in his political backyard while Gachagua was aiming at making inroads into the vote-rich Rift Valley by capitalising on local grievances over perceived unfulfilled promises.

The Emurua Dikirr parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of area Member of Parliament Johana Ng’eno, who was among six people killed in a helicopter crash in Chepkiep village, Mosop, Nandi County, on February 28, 2026.

Ng’eno, a three-term legislator, had represented the Narok County constituency since 2013 and was serving under UDA at the time of his death.

His sudden passing triggered the constitutional process for filling the vacant National Assembly seat. 

Following consultations with relevant electoral stakeholders, IEBC announced that the Emurua Dikirr by-election would be held on May 14, 2026.

The poll was scheduled to allow voters in the constituency to elect a new representative to complete the remainder of Ng’eno’s term in the 13th Parliament.

The announcement set off intense political activity, with major parties moving quickly to field candidates in what became one of the most closely watched by-elections in the country. 

The contest drew national attention, with analysts viewing it as a key political test for both the ruling UDA and rival parties seeking to gain ground in the Rift Valley.

Campaigns were marked by heightened political mobilisation as candidates sought to inherit the influence and support base left behind by the late MP.

The by-election was also seen as a referendum on shifting political loyalties in a constituency long considered politically significant in Narok County.