Campaigns ahead of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party nominations for the Emurua Dikirr parliamentary seat, left vacant following the death of former MP Johana Ng’eno, have entered the homestretch.
It has emerged that the late MP’s widow, Naiyanoi Ng’eno, has withdrawn from the race to succeed her late husband, citing personal reasons after consultations with her family.
Ms Naiyanoi, who had been endorsed by the family two weeks ago, was considered one of the frontrunners. Her withdrawal has triggered a major realignment among the late MP’s key supporters.
“Ms Ng’eno will not be contesting as she has been unwell and is still recovering from the loss of her husband. Following this development, we have, after extensive consultations as a family, decided to release her from the rigours of the campaign,” said family spokesman David Ngetich.
Ms Naiyanoi has not responded to inquiries on her next course of action, with the family confirming that the decision was made last Thursday.
In a fresh political realignment, allies of the late MP met on Saturday and agreed to back one candidate, Bernard Ngeno, a former personal assistant to the deceased, as their flag bearer.
The move comes as UDA National Elections Board (NEB) chairman Anthony Mwaura assured candidates and residents that the nominations will be free and fair.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has set May 14 as the date for the by-election in the constituency, which has 44,447 registered voters and 94 polling stations. The poll is expected to cost Sh59 million.
Two candidates, Ezra Sawe, an employee of the Narok County Government and Bernard Rono, a county administrator, have withdrawn from the race following a six-hour consultative meeting held at a hotel in Bomet town on Saturday.
Mr Ngeno is now set to face off in the UDA nominations on March 27 against businessman David Keter, police officer Kibet Rotich, and accountant Joseph Kiprono Koech.
The by-election was occasioned by the death of MP Johana Ng’eno in a helicopter crash at Chepkiyech village in Mosop Constituency, Nandi County, on February 28.
Others who died in the crash were pilot George Were, photojournalist Nick Kosgei, Kenya Forest Service officer Amos Kipngetich Rotich, teacher Carlos Robert Kibet Keter, and protocol officer Wycliff Kiprotich Rono.
Speaking on Saturday, Mr Ngeno thanked Mr Sawe and Mr Rono for backing his candidature.
“We have a huge responsibility as people who worked closely with our former MP to unite his supporters and ensure we complete the projects he started,” he said.
Flanked by the two leaders and their supporters, Mr Ngeno said residents had demanded that the candidates agree on one flag bearer to consolidate support.
“Our coming together is a result of calls from constituents who wanted us to front one candidate. I now appeal to our supporters to conduct door-to-door campaigns to ensure we deliver the seat,” he added.
Mr Sawe said he shelved his ambitions in support of Mr Ngeno, whom they believe can continue the late MP’s development agenda.
“The voters have repeatedly asked us to unite behind one candidate. We have settled on Mr Ngeno and will rally behind him,” he said.
Mr Rono, who had initially been backed by the Kapkaon clan, said he stepped down in the spirit of unity after consultations with stakeholders.
UDA NEB chairman Anthony Mwaura met candidates at Kuresok Empowerment Hall in Emurua Dikirr and confirmed that polling would take place in primary schools designated as IEBC polling stations.
“I am here with Basic Education Principal Secretary Prof Julius Bitok to ensure schools are available for the nomination exercise,” Mr Mwaura said.
“We have put in place all necessary measures to ensure the nominations are free, fair, and democratic. The people of Emurua Dikirr will have the opportunity to choose their preferred candidate,” he added.
He emphasised that the party has no preferred candidate and warned against external interference, noting that President William Ruto had directed that the will of the people be respected.
Meanwhile, Elkerin Ward MCA Ezekiel Korir has declared support for businessman David Keter, saying he had stepped aside for future opportunities.
Mr Keter, who previously lost to the late MP in two general elections, expressed confidence in his chances.
“I am confident the people of Emurua Dikirr will elect me to succeed the late Ng’eno so I can complete ongoing projects and initiate new ones,” he said.
Emurua Dikirr Constituency in Narok County comprises four wards: Ilkerin, Mogondo, Kapsasian, and Ololmasani.
The late Johana Ng’eno had represented the constituency for three consecutive terms and was its first MP following its creation in 2013.
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