Ms Nayianoi Ngeno, the widow of the late MP Johana Ngeno and his former Personal Assistant are among 12 aspirants who have declared interest for Emurua Dikirr parliamentary seat on the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket.
The seat fell vacant following the death of Ngeno which occurred on February 28 after a helicopter crash in Nandi county.
Others battling for the UDA ticket include a Member of the County Assembly, an accountant, a policeman and two former allies of the late MP.
UDA National Elections Board (NEB) Chairman Anthony Mwaura told the Nation that at least 12 aspirants had applied for the ticket by Wednesday. Application for the ticket is set to close on Friday (March 20) ahead of party nominations scheduled for March 27.
Emurua Dikirr has four civic wards – Ilkerin, Mogondo, Kapsasian and Ololmasani – which by the 2022 general elections records, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) had 44,447 registered voters. IEBC has set May 14 for the by election which is said would cost Sh59 million.
The by-election will be conducted alongside that of Porro civic ward in Samburu and Endo ward in Elgeyo Marakwet county which are also vacant.
Former Emurua Dikirr Member of Parliament the late Johana Ng'eno
Photo credit: File | Nation
Ms Ngeno, the widow of the late MP, has been picked by the family as a flag bearer in the succession battle.
Her candidature has however come into scrutiny in the past few days due to her absence in the constituency while her rivals are launching their campaigns.
“I am grateful for the thrust and responsibility bestowed upon me by the family, the clan and the constituents to carry the baton of my late husband. I am calling on the residents and voters of Emurua Dikirr constituency to rally behind my candidature when the election date is announced” Ms Nayianoi said on Thursday last week when she was picked.
Ms Nayianoi said “I am calling for peace and unity as a family. I know the journey ahead will not be easy. I know they are (opponents) waiting for me, thinking it will be easy for them. But with your support, I cannot far anyone.”
“Let us engage in peaceful and mature politics as that is what my late husband – Johana Ngeno – would want that to happen from where he is resting” Ms Nayianoi said.
Mr Bernard Ngeno, a former Personal Assistant to the MP, is already emerging as one of the top contenders in the succession race.
In an interesting turn of events, Mr Bernard Rono, a candidate picked by the late MP's Kapkaon clan, has since withdrawn from the race and backed Mr Ngeno (the former Personal Assistant to the MP), popularly known as Arap Buluu, one of the front runners in the contest.
"After a series of consultations, I have withdrawn and rallied my supporters behind Mr Ngeno who has the charisma and focus to complete the project that our brother and MP started" Mr Rono said.
He said "Mr Ngeno understands the development plan and implementation matrix in the constituency as was ideally laid out by our former MP"
"What we want is a person who will take forward the development agenda. With Mr Ngeno having been in charge of the constituency in the absence of our late MP, he is a safe pair of hands. That is one of the reasons I quit and joint him" Mr Rono, an administrator at Narok county government.
Mama Mary Temase, mother of the late MP Johana Ngéno, during his burial in Emurua Dikkir.
Photo credit: PSC
On his part, Mr Ngeno said he was well versed with the development agenda that the former MP had for the constituency and that if elected, he would ensure that there is continuity on all fronts.
"We are clear about the development program that was being implemented and I will work the local leaders, residents and government to deliver on the agenda to the benefit of the people" Mr Ngeno said.
His candidature has generated a lot of political heat in the constituency due to his closeness to the former MP before he died.
Mr David Keter, a businessman who has for the last two general elections lost to the late Mr Ngeno, on Thursday formally launched his campaigns at Emurua Dikirr AGC church.
"I am appealing to the people of Emurua Dikirr to elect me as their next MP. I have twice lost the election, but continued to contribute to development projects in the area to date" Mr Keter said.
Mr Keter said he had consistently championed for the rights of the residents and never undermined the former MP after every election cycle.
Another candidate, Mr Ezra Sawe, an employee of the Narok county government on Wednesday launched his campaigns and expressed confidence he will be elected in the nominations coming up in slightly over a week. He was one of the close allies of the former MP.
Mr Kibet Rotich, a police officer has declared his candidature ahead of the UDA party nomination which has generated a lot of public interest.
A scene where a chopper crashed at Chepkiep Village in Mosop Sub-County of Nandi County on February 28, 2026, where six occupants died on the spot. MP Johana N'geno (inset) was one of the chopper passengers.
Photo credit: File, Jared Nyataya | Nation
"Already, I have discussed with Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot and Kapseret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi what we need to do for the people of Emurua Dikirr especially women" Mr Rotich said while launching his campaign.
Elkerin Ward Member of the County Assembly Ezekiel Korir, who was a fierce critic of the former MP has also declared interest in the seat, so to Joseph Kiprono Koech an accountant.
Ms Mary Temas, the 91 years old mother to the former area MP who was laid to rest on February 6, 2026 at his Mogondo home, shocked the mourners during the funeral service at Emurua Dikirr primary school when she said her family would not be handing over the leadership baton in the constituency in the interim.
“I want to make it clear that as Ngeno's mother, we will not be releasing the leadership baton that my son held on behalf of the people of Emurua Dikirr. It will remain in the family” Ms Temas said as President William Ruto, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula listened from the dais.
Ms Temas said “For avoidance of doubt, there are sons and daughters in the family who are educated and have the ability to lead the people of this constituency and complete the projects started by the MP who has left us”
Mr George Were (pilot), Nick Kosgei (photojournalist), Amos Kipng’etich Rotich (an officer with the Kenya Forests Service), Carlos Robert Kibet Keter (a teacher) and Wycliffe Kiprotich Rono (a protocol officer at Narok county government) and Mr Ngeno died in the helicopter crash.
