Buzeki praises UDA for sealing election rigging loopholes in party primaries
By Lutta Njomo, September 21, 2025Businessman and politician Bundotich Zedekiah Kiprop, alias Buzeki, has lauded the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) for ensuring free and fair primaries across several constituencies, wards, and a senatorial seat.
In a statement on Saturday, September 20, 2025, Buzeki, who recently joined UDA, credited the electronic system for sealing loopholes for election manipulation.
The businessman observed that the system made the exercise faster and transparent in major polling stations.
“Today’s UDA by-election party NOMINATIONS showed the true spirit of democracy. With ELECTRONIC voting, no rigging, no irregularities—just FREE FAIR & TRANSPARENT polls. Voting was fast; results were instant,” Buzeki’s statement read in part.
Tembelio Primaries
Further, Buzeki, who has been a fierce critic of President William Ruto’s administration before joining his party, congratulated Reuben Kigen Tobosei, who was declared the winner of the Tembelio ward.
Kigen was declared the winner after garnering 3,454 votes. Nicholas Koech came second with 970 votes, and Nahashon Kipsiro came third with 897 votes.
Others who got less than 800 votes in the hotly contested nomination are Moses Chemaiyo (748), Emmanuel Kipalagat (498), Grace Jemutai and Timothy Chebii, both garnered 127 votes, while Emmanuel Toroitich came last with 25 votes.
“UDA has shown that it is possible to have free, fair and transparent nominations. As a member, I am very proud that the will of the people of Tembelio ward was reflected and respected in our party primaries,” Kigen said after the win.
The primaries were set to be conducted in
- Mandera County
- Kasipul in Homa Bay
- Magarini in Kilifi
- Malava in Kakamega
- Mbeere North in Embu
- Ugunja in Siaya
The exercise was also scheduled to be conducted in 17 wards on Saturday, September 20, 2025.
- Angata Nanyokie in Samburu
- Chemundu/Kapng’etuny in Nandi
- Chewani in Tana River
- Fafi in Garissa
- Kariobangi North in Nairobi
- Kisa East in Kakamega
- Metkei in Elgeyo Marakwet
- Mumbuni North in Machakos
- Narok Town in Narok
- Purko in Kajiado
- Tembelio in Uasin Gishu
- Nyansiongo in Nyamira
- Nyamaiya in Nyamira
- Ekerenyo in Nyamira
- Lake Zone in Turkana
- Nanaam in Turkana
- Chwele in Bungoma
The nomination exercise comes ahead of the by-elections set for November 27, 2025, as gazetted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).