Incumbent Pokot South MP David Pkosing set to retain seat

Mr David Pkosing of Kenya Union Party (KUP) has retained the Pokot South parliamentary seat for a third term after garnering 28,225 to beat his United Democratic Alliance (UDA) rival, former West Pokot county assembly majority leader Simon Kalekem who managed 15,298.

In the election held on Monday, James Tekoo (Independent) came a distant third with 2,677.

The election was a fierce contest between Kenya Kwanza and Azimio la Umoja One Kenya in a region believed to be the stronghold of President-Elect William Ruto.

KUP also bagged the Kacheliba parliamentary seat after its candidate, former county deputy governor Titus Lotee garnered 20,073 to beat immediate former MP Mark Lomunokol who got 17,903 votes. Mr John Lodinyo of Kanu trailed with 1,346 votes.

In the August 9 polls, Dr Ruto received 109,944 votes in West Pokot, while Mr Odinga bagged 63,092.

In Pokot South constituency, Dr Ruto had 28,825 votes and Mr Odinga 13,774. In Kacheliba, the DP received 24, 445 votes against Mr Odinga’s 16, 767.

Mr Pkosing, the KUP deputy party leader together with his party leader- immediate former West Pokot Governor Prof George Lonyangapuo are among politicians considered to be rebels of President-elect William Ruto, with the re-elected MP surviving the UDA wave in the region.

The Pokot South and Kacheliba poll results are a blow to the Kenya kwanza team which was keen on securing the two seats to boost its numbers in the National Assembly in the battle with Azimio la Umoja One Kenya.

Out of the 58,409 registered voters in Pokot South, 46,200 (79.10 per cent) cast the ballot, with a total of 156 votes being rejected.

Mr Pkosing was first elected to the National Assembly in 2012 on a United Republican Party (URP) ticket and won the 2017 election on the Jubilee party ticket.

Casting his vote at Chepkopegh Primary School Polling Station on Monday, August 29, he had exuded confidence of victory.

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