President William Ruto is set for another political duel with his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua as the Emurua Dikirr parliamentary by-election scheduled for May 14 draws closer.
The race to replace the late MP Johana Ngeno, who died in a helicopter crash alongside five others in Mosop Constituency, Nandi County, on February 28, has attracted four candidates.
Dr Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate David Keter will face off against Vincent Rotich of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), fronted by Mr Gachagua. The two are emerging as the frontrunners in what is expected to be a tightly contested race.
Mr Gideon Koech, a Bomet-based advocate, is running on a National Vision Party (NVP) ticket, while businesswoman Desma Cherono is the Party of National Unity (PNU) candidate.
Buoyed by the recent victory of DCP candidate Douglas Twala Masikonte in the Narok Town civic ward by-election in November 2025, Mr Gachagua is seeking to consolidate his party’s influence in the Rift Valley as the country edges closer to the 2027 General Election.
DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua (right) with his deputy Cleophas Malala (centre) present a nomination certificate to Vincent Rotich during the issuance of party tickets for the Emurua Dikirr parliamentary by-election at the DCP headquarters, Nairobi on April 7, 2026.
Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
In the Narok Town ward race, Mr Masikonte secured 6,007 votes against UDA’s Robert Kanyinke Ole Kudate, who garnered 4,479 votes in a contest triggered by the death of MCA Lucas Kudate in February 2025.
The Emurua Dikirr contest is also unfolding against the backdrop of a fiercely contested UDA nomination, where Bernard Ngeno, a former aide to the late MP, has refused to concede defeat.
Mr Ngeno, who garnered 13,394 votes against Mr Keter’s 13,749, has disputed the outcome, claiming the exercise was flawed.
“The UDA nomination exercise was bungled and the results are unacceptable. We shall retreat and plan a comeback in the 2027 General Election,” Mr Ngeno told supporters in Emurua Dikirr trading centre.
His stance, backed by a significant bloc of supporters, has forced UDA to intensify efforts to unify the party ahead of the by-election.
With 44,447 registered voters and a turnout of 27,503 in the primaries, the narrow 355-vote margin has exposed deep divisions within the constituency.
“We are already on the ground engaging voters and we are confident UDA will deliver the seat,” Mr Keter said in a telephone interview.
He called for unity among supporters urging them to rally behind him in honour of the late MP and to complete ongoing development projects.
UDA candidate David Keter, alias Dolarline.
Photo credit: Vitalis Kimutai | Nation Media Group
Last week, Mr Gachagua unveiled Mr Rotich, a former chief and ex-Mogondo MCA, describing him as the people’s choice.
“The contest is defined. It will be Ruto’s project versus the people’s choice. He is 37 years old, he is loved by the people and he has Ngeno’s blood. Just as Narok made history by producing the first DCP MCA, let it also produce an MP,” Mr Gachagua said at the DCP headquarters in Nairobi.
Mr Rotich expressed confidence that voters would back his bid, saying residents were ready for change.
“The people of Emurua Dikirr are tired and want to be freed from political bondage. No amount of money or bribery will change their minds,” he said.
Mr Koech of NVP said voters were demanding leadership focused on development, citing frustrations over stalled infrastructure projects.
“It is time the people gave a woman the mandate to lead and deliver the development agenda,” she said.
The contest has also been shaped by political developments following the appointment of Ms Naiyanoi Ngeno, widow of the late MP, to the ICT Authority Board for a three-year term.
Her appointment, effective April 2, 2026, was gazetted by ICT Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo.
She had earlier been considered for the UDA ticket but withdrew before the party primaries held on March 27, which were won by Mr Keter.
Emurua Dikirr continues to face infrastructural challenges, with poor roads hindering the transport of agricultural produce such as maize, beans, tomatoes and onions.
UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar and National Elections Board chair Anthony Mwaura have expressed confidence that the party will retain the seat.
President Ruto has also assured residents that development projects initiated by the late MP will be completed under his administration.
