News

UDA’s Vincent Chemitei cleared by IEBC to vie for Baringo senatorial seat

Thursday 09th October, 2025 06:33 PM| By Mabonga Makhanu

United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party candidate Vincent Chemitei has now been cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to contest for the Baringo senatorial seat slated for November 27.

Also Watch: Chemitei clinches UDA ticket in hotly contested Baringo Senate primaries.

The exercise took place at the Kabarnet IEBC offices on Thursday, October 9, 2025, where he was given the green light by the electoral body to contest for the seat left vacant following the demise of area senator William Cheptumo.

Vincent Kiprono Chemitei meeting with Hassan Omar after presenting his papers to IEBC for clearance. PHOTO//https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1403989075068988&set=pcb.1403989188402310

He was later joined by UDA secretary general Hassan Omar and Tiaty MP William Kamket.

William Chemitei, after being cleared by IEBC to continue with his senatorial quest. PGOTO//Screengrab by People Daily Digital/https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17Nna8YpAi/

This came after chaotic scenes in Kabarnet Town, where supporters of KANU party chairman Gideon Moi clashed with him, forcing him to seek an alternative route to the IEBC offices.

He later left Baringo aboard a chopper after the one he had used to land in the county was damaged and failed to take off.

Gideon Moi was also expected at the constituency office to present his nomination papers but failed to appear. His supporters, who had turned out in large numbers, waited in agony at the Kabarnet airstrip for him to land, but he was a no-show. The frustrated supporters eventually left the airstrip after hours of waiting.

This has led to widespread speculation that he has pulled out of the race.

This comes days after Vincent Chemitei dwarfed other contestants in the UDA party primaries. The development has led to a split among leaders from the county, with some leaning towards Chemitei while another faction supports Tabole, who came second in the primaries.

Chemitei has also paid a visit to State House, where he met with President William Ruto.

Meeting with Ruto

The president took this opportunity and congratulated the senator for his resounding win in the primaries.

“Best wishes to our UDA parliamentary candidates Kiprono Chemitei (Baringo), David Ndakwa (Malava), Muriuki Muthende (Mbeere North), and Ahmed Maalim Hassan (Banisa) in the upcoming by-elections,” President Ruto said, wishing all the UDA candidates well in the upcoming by-elections. “Wishing them well as they present their nomination papers to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission,” Ruto stated.