Ruto pledges support to David Keter after UDA nomination win in Emurua Dikirr
By Faith Lagat, March 28, 2026President William Ruto has congratulated David Keter, popularly known as Dollarline, after he won the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party nomination for the Emurua Dikirr parliamentary by-election.
In a statement posted on X on Saturday, March 28, 2026, the President pledged support to Keter as he prepares to fly the party’s flag in the by-election scheduled for May 14.
“Congratulations David Keter aka Dollarline on your victory in yesterday’s UDA party nominations in Emurua Dikirr Constituency. You have our unqualified support as you carry the party’s flag into the by-election,” Ruto stated.
He also commended runner-up Bernard Kipkoech Ng’eno, alias Buluu, for participating in the nomination exercise. “Now, we move forward as one solid team, united behind our candidate and our agenda,” the President added.
Tight nomination contest
Keter edged out Bernard Ng’eno in a closely contested nomination held across 96 polling stations on Friday, March 27.
He secured 13,759 votes against Ng’eno’s 13,394 votes, a difference of 365 votes. The results were announced at Emurua Dikirr Secondary School by UDA National Election Board Vice Chairperson Veronica Chebet.
“The tallying is complete and the winner has emerged as Keter as per the wishes of the voters,” Chebet said.
Other candidates in the UDA nomination included Kibet Rotich Farouk, Joseph Kiprono Koech and John Saitoti.
Voter turnout was reported to be high, with residents forming long queues in the morning to cast their ballots before afternoon rains. UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar, who visited polling stations including Soget Primary School, said the exercise reflected grassroots participation.
“The party does not have a preferred candidate… we have left the people of Emurua Dikirr to make their independent choice,” Omar said.
By-election set for May
The by-election was necessitated by the death of Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno, who died in a helicopter crash at Chepkiyep village in Mosop Sub-County, Nandi County, on February 28, 2026. The crash claimed six lives.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has scheduled the by-election for May 14, with 44,447 registered voters expected to take part.
Emurua Dikirr constituency was created from the larger Kilgoris constituency ahead of the 2013 General Election. The late Ng’eno had been the only MP representing the constituency since its creation.
Nomination disputes
The nomination exercise also faced complaints from some candidates over alleged irregularities at several polling stations.
Bernard Ng’eno’s camp raised concerns about bribery, repeat voting and proxy voting in some areas.
In a notice issued on March 27, the party’s Electoral and Nomination Dispute Resolution Committee (ENDRC), chaired by Adrian Kamotho, invited aggrieved parties to submit complaints within 24 hours.
The committee said it would handle disputes arising from the Emurua Dikirr parliamentary nomination and other ward-level contests in Samburu and Elgeyo Marakwet counties.