Top supporters of Deputy President William Ruto lost in the recent Baringo County primaries.
Former Governor Benjamin Cheboi, who received 45,666 votes, defeated Governor Stanley Kiptis, who has been a main organiser of UDA demonstrations around the county. Kiptis came in third place, with 25, 976 votes.
Eldama-Ravine MP Moses Lessonet, another gubernatorial challenger and DP Ruto supporter, placed in second with 30,588 votes, followed by Prof Fred Segor (16,362) and Robert Chelagat (6,056).
Baringo Central MP Joshua Kandie got 10,652 votes to win the MP’s ticket, beating Ruto righthand man Assembly Speaker David Kiplagat, who got 7,834 votes.
Former area MP Sammy Mwaita, another DP diehard, came far third scoring 2115 votes. Kiplagat and Mwaita protested, terming the exercise shambolic, alleging their agents were even threatened and chased out of the polling stations. But Kandie denied the claims.
“Personally I thank God and the people of Baringo Central for trusting me to serve my second term, I promise to do even more for my people,” Kandie said in an interview.
Baringo North MP William Cheptumo won the UDA ticket to run for Senate, garnering 69,420 votes against Isaiah Kirukmet’s 25,681.
Vocal Tenges MCA Silas Tochim came far third with 13,633 votes. Joseph Makip shined got 11,300 votes to win Baringo North parliamentary seat ticket.
Sammy Chelang’a came second with 7,030 votes and Jonathan Token third with 4,200. Bartabwa MCA Reuben Chepsongol was fourth with 2,100 votes.
Mogotio MP Daniel Tuitoek won the ticket for the same seat with 9,662 votes against UDA youthful leader Reuben Kiborek’s 9,469.
Baringo South MP Charles Kamuren won a ticket with 12,829 votes against his opponent Joseph Tarus, with 7,895 votes. Fridah Lotuiya got 3,913 and Paul Kimaru 983.
East Africa Legislative Assembly MP Florence Jematia, DP Ruto’s preferred candidate, won the county Woman Rep seat with 73,573 votes against her competitors Susan Chesyna 33,757, Nancy Chesire 10,650.
County Returning officer Dr Kipchumba Chebet released the results while losers and their supporters threatened to disrupt the tallying in Kabarnet town.
“Our work is as transparent as possible no one should have any reason to doubt or worry,” Chebet said.
After the UDA nomination exercise, the majority of the losers are now threatening to ditch the UDA party and register themselves as Independent candidates.
The winners will face their opponents in other strong parties such as KANU and Chama Cha Mashinani.
