Low voter turnout at UDA primaries in Metkei ward
By Wycliffe Kipsang, September 20, 2025The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) primaries for Metkei Ward in Uasin Gishu County kicked off on September 20, 2025, without any hitches, though the exercise was marked by lower voter turnout.
A spot-check by People Daily at several polling stations revealed that only 40 per cent of voters had turned up by midday.
Also Watch: UDA moves to reclaim Garissa Governor seat as it endorses Korane with party ticket.
The seat was left vacant after the area Member of the County Assembly (MCA) Lawi Kibire was elected Elgeyo Marakwet County Assembly Speaker.
Kibire, who cast his vote at Kabirbirsus Primary School polling station, lauded the electronic voting system employed by the party.
“The process is seamless. It is efficient, and from the look of things, it doesn’t even take 30 seconds to vote. We believe that the system developed by our party will reconfigure how elections are done in this country,” said Kibire.
“The only addition I think we should make is the biometric configuration, which will make the system even more seamless. The system prevents people from voting twice. Our party is revolutionising how elections can be done. I want to believe that in the 2027 election, we will be able to adopt the digital mode of voting and have a peaceful and prosperous country,” he added.
He also noted that the new system adopted by UDA can work offline and can be used even in remote areas of the country.
On the issue of pushing for consensus in other parts of the country, Kibire said UDA is a democratic party that believes in a fair and competitive process.
“The issue of consensus and negotiation is now water under the bridge. Consensus is generally an unacceptable mode. The UDA party constitution provides for many avenues to get a candidate, but once consensus fails, we resort to voting to select the candidate of the people,” Kibire said.
Metkei Ward residents who spoke to People Daily lauded the electronic voting system, noting that it has made the exercise more efficient and credible.
“This should be emulated by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in the forthcoming general election because it meets the threshold of being a good system. The only challenge we’ve witnessed is low voter turnout. Otherwise, the process is very smooth, and we’ve not witnessed any anomaly or ugly incident,” Benjamin Towett, a resident, said.
Nancy Jeruto Barsulai, the only woman in the race, cast her vote at Kipsaos polling station and expressed optimism about emerging victorious.
“Hope the will of the people will prevail. So far, so good, we haven’t witnessed any ugly incident,” Barsulai said.
“I want to serve the people of Metkei with equal services in all spheres, transparency, and dedication, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs addressed. I’m happy my manifesto is resonating well with the people,” she added.
Others vying for the seat include Daniel Chirchir, Victor Mutai, Peter Kipchirchir, Stephen Kiprotich, and Philip Kipkosgei Kipruto, alias Chebolei, who was MCA before Kibire took over.
According to data from IEBC, Metkei Ward has 7,980 registered voters and 18 polling stations.
The by-elections are being held across the country after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) gazetted a schedule for all pending by-elections.
Other wards where by-elections will be held on November 27 include Angata Nanyokie (Samburu), Chemundu/Kapng’etuny (Nandi), Chewani (Tana River), Fafi (Garissa), Kariobangi North (Nairobi), Kisa East (Kakamega), and Mumbuni North (Machakos).