UDA Defeats Gachagua's New Party in First Electoral Test Since Political Split
Narok, 15 May 2026
David Keter secured victory for President Ruto’s UDA with 18,266 votes, whilst former Deputy President Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party achieved a surprisingly strong second place with 10,760 votes in yesterday’s Emurua Dikirr by-election. The contest, triggered by MP Johana Ngeno’s death in February, drew 66.6% voter turnout and saw minor violence between rival supporters. This marks the first electoral confrontation between Ruto and his former deputy since their political fallout, providing crucial insights into shifting allegiances within Kenya’s Rift Valley heartland ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Electoral Context and Previous Coverage
As previously reported in our coverage of the pre-election preparations, 44,447 registered voters in Emurua Dikirr constituency were eligible to participate in this critical by-election [1]. The contest was necessitated following the death of three-term MP Johana Ng’eno in a helicopter crash on 28 February 2026 [2]. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) had implemented strict security measures and warned against ballot photography, which carries penalties of up to Sh1 million or three years imprisonment.
Victory Margins and Voter Performance
David Kipsang Keter’s victory came with a commanding 62.218 per cent of valid votes cast, representing approximately 62 per cent of the total ballots [2]. Vincent Rotich of the Democracy for Citizens Party secured 36.651 per cent of valid votes, translating to roughly 37 per cent of the vote share [2]. The remaining three candidates performed poorly, with Gideon Koech of the National Vision Party receiving 190 votes, Cherono Desma of the Party of National Unity garnering 80 votes, and Kiprono Rotich of the Republican Liberty Party securing just 62 votes [2].
Voter Participation and Electoral Logistics
Turnout reached 66.6 per cent of the 44,353 registered voters, with 29,435 total votes cast across 94 polling stations on 14-15 May 2026 [2]. Of these, 29,358 votes were deemed valid whilst 177 were rejected by electoral officials [2]. The turnout figures suggest strong civic engagement despite the constituency’s rural nature and the political tensions surrounding the contest between President Ruto’s party and his former deputy’s new political vehicle.
Violence Mars Electoral Process
The by-election was marred by violence between supporters of UDA and DCP near the Chelemei and Kiribwet polling stations in Kapsasian ward [3]. Four people sustained injuries during the clashes and were transported to various hospitals for treatment, with one person receiving care at Chebunyo hospital in neighbouring Bomet County and two others treated at Emurua Dikirr sub-county hospital [3]. Narok County Police Commander Patrick Lobolia confirmed the disturbances and called for calm, whilst the candidates issued appeals for peace and enhanced security to prevent escalation of tensions [3].
Political Implications and Future Outlook
Following his victory, Keter expressed gratitude to constituents, stating: ‘I am grateful for the support the people of Emurua Dikirr have accorded me, the confidence on my leadership and I wish to assure them that I would not let them down’ [2]. The MP-elect also reflected on his persistence despite previous electoral defeats, noting: ‘I have kept the fight and did not give up after repeatedly losing the position in previous elections. But I knew that one day one time the win would surely come. That time is now’ [2]. This by-election was widely viewed as a popularity contest between President William Ruto’s UDA and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s DCP ahead of the 2027 general election [2], providing early indicators of political allegiances in Kenya’s Rift Valley region.