Former MP William Kisang wins Elgeyo Marakwet senator by-election
Elgeyo Marakwet Senator-elect William Kisang accompanied by his wife Emmy Kimoi Kisang addresses the press on January 6, 2023 after receiving a certificate from Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission for winning the by-election.
United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party candidate William Kisang bagged the Elgeyo Marakwet Senatorial seat after flooring his fiercest rival Tim Kipchumba of Party of Peace and Development (PPD) after garnering 41,378 votes
Mr Kisang led in three of the four Constituencies in the county with Mr Kipchumba commanding a lead in Keiyo South with 8,365 votes. According to County Returning Officer Charles Mutai, Mr Kipchumba got 38,151 votes.
The mini-poll was marred with claims of voter bribery and low voter turnout even as the two front runners were in a rematch competition after the UDA party nominations in November last year.
The county has 211,352 registered voters and the race to succeed Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen had attracted six aspirants even thought it ended up being a royale battle between President William Ruto’s UDA, whose candidate was former Marakwet West MP and PPD’s Mr Kipchumba.
Others in the race were Mr Timothy Tanui (The New Democrats), human rights activist Ms Jerotich Seii (Safina), lawyer Andrew Mengich (Independent) and a 27-year-old Statistician Kelvin Kemboi.
Ms Seii garnered 2,660 votes and valid votes were 83,471 with rejected ballots being 401.
Mr Kipchumba had already conceded defeat in the Elgeyo Marakwet senate race even before the electoral commission declared the official results.
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Mr Kipchumba, who had launched a charm offensive against UDA candidate, congratulated Mr William Kisang who wass poised to win.
“A few minutes to midnight yesterday, I called Sen Hon Kisang and congratulated him. I assured him of my support as my Senator and the Senator elect of Elgeyo Marakwet. Kait Sait (Mr Kipchumba campaign fad) will support him and our Kenya Kwanza government under President William Ruto,” said Mr Kipchumba as he conceded defeat.
Mr Kisang, in his victory speech, said the win was through God because of the stiff competition he was facing.
“To my competitors, there is always a next time we should accept election results whether they favour us or not. I will fulfill my manifesto and unify the county because all along I have been a peace maker,” said Mr Kisang.
Elgeyo Marakwet Senator-elect William Kisang on January 6, 2023 after receiving a certificate from Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission for winning the January 5, 2023 by-election. He vied for the seat on a United Democratic Alliance Party (UDA).
County returning officer Charles Mutai said voter turnout was 39.95 percent and despite the low number, the exercise went on smoothly.
"The exercise was generally peaceful and smooth and we commend all the stakeholders for the job well done," he said.
