Do or die as Emurua Dikirr MP race enters final stretch

It is a do-or-die contest as campaigns for the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) nomination in Emurua Dikirr constituency enter the final stretch.

UDA will hold its primaries on Friday, with at least six candidates battling for the party ticket to succeed former MP Johana Ng'eno, who died in a helicopter crash on February 28 at Chepkiyech village in Mosop, Nandi County.

Also killed in the crash were pilot George Were, photojournalist Nick Kosgei, Kenya Forest Service officer Amos Kipngetich Rotich, teacher Carlos Robert Kibet Keter and Narok county protocol officer Wycliff Kiprotich Rono.

Read: Emurua Dikirr succession: Ng'eno widow bows out of parliamentary race

Political activity has intensified across the Narok County constituency over the past week, with candidates holding rallies, strategy meetings and late-night roadshows, alongside defections and shifting alliances among supporters.

UDA National Elections Board (NEB) chairperson Anthony Mwaura said clerks, returning officers and presiding officers had been trained ahead of deployment.

The race has thinned from 12 aspirants to six after a wave of withdrawals and endorsements ahead of the March 27 primaries.

Front runners include Bernard Ngeno alias Arap Buluu, a former personal assistant to the late MP, businessman David Keter alias Dolarline and youth leader Kibet Rotich Farouk.

Also in the race are Robert Kipkoech Leguta, accountant Joseph Kiprono Koech and John Saitoti.

In recent days, several candidates have dropped out including the late MP’s widow Nayianoi Ngeno, Elkerin MCA Ezekiel Korir and Narok county employees Bernard Rono and Ezekiel Sawe.

Mr Sawe and Mr Rono have thrown their weight behind Mr Ngeno, while Mr Korir is backing Mr Keter in the emerging political realignments.

Ms Nayianoi exited the race just days after the family endorsed her as its preferred successor to the three-term MP.

“It is a game of numbers and influence as candidates head into the homestretch,” said youth leader Geoffrey Bett Kechwo.

Mr Ngeno expressed confidence that he would win over voters citing his close working relationship with the late MP.

Pressure to step down

“I worked closely with our former MP in delivering development to the people. I believe the voters will trust me to continue that agenda,” he said.

Mr Rotich, who has resisted pressure to step down, said he would stay in the race to the end.

“I have been approached to step down, but I will not. It is time for the youth to take up leadership, and I believe the people will support me,” he said, while urging peaceful campaigns.

Mr Keter said the constituency needs experienced leadership to address long-standing challenges.

“We face issues such as land rights, lack of title deeds, poor road networks and the need for more training institutions. I have the capacity to address these challenges,” he said.

Read: Closing the Hansard: Rare process after an MP’s death that will honour Johana Ng’eno

Meanwhile, Mr Koech, Mr Saitoti and Mr Leguta have been crisscrossing the constituency seeking support in what is shaping up to be a tightly contested race.

According to Mr Mwaura, the constituency has 44,447 registered voters and will have 94 polling stations, mainly in primary and secondary schools.

“Our officials have clear instructions to conduct a free, fair and transparent election. UDA does not have a preferred candidate,” he said.

Despite heavy rains pounding the region over the past week, candidates and their supporters have continued campaigning in trading centres, along roadsides and in night meetings.

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