President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has tightened its grip in several regions after cliningly securing decisive victories in three mini-polls held in Narok, Elgeyo Marakwet and Samburu counties in what political analysts are already interpreting as an early test of political strength ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In Emurua Dikirr Constituency, Narok County, UDA candidate David Kipsang Keter emerged victorious after garnering 18,266 votes in the Member of National Assembly by-election. The results were announced by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Returning Officer Caleb Gekonde.
Keter defeated Vincent Kibet Rotich of the DCP Party, who came second with 10,760 votes in a contest that attracted significant political attention in the Rift Valley region.
According to the IEBC, a total of 29,538 votes were cast out of the constituency’s 44,353 registered voters, translating to a voter turnout of 66.6 percent — one of the highest turnouts recorded in recent mini-polls.
In Endo Ward, Elgeyo Marakwet County, UDA also cruised to victory after Festus Korir Kiprop secured 4,475 votes to win the County Assembly Ward seat.
Returning Officer Dominic Leparmarai declared Kiprop the winner after comfortably beating Shadrack Kosgei Chelang’a of the NDP Party, who managed 752 votes.
The ward registered a relatively low voter turnout, with only 5,260 votes cast from 14,361 registered voters, representing 36.59 percent participation.
UDA’s winning streak extended to Samburu County where Daniel Lolngojine captured the Porro Ward MCA seat with 2,328 votes.
The results were announced by Returning Officer Sophina Leleruk, who confirmed that Lolngojine defeated KANU candidate Josphat Jumani Leleur, who finished second with 1,036 votes.
Out of 6,358 registered voters in Porro Ward, 4,194 ballots were cast, giving the election a voter turnout of 65.96 percent.
The mini-polls are expected to trigger fresh political debate across the country, particularly on the growing dominance of UDA in regions previously considered battlegrounds for both opposition and regional parties.
Political observers say the results could also shape coalition negotiations and grassroots mobilization strategies as parties begin positioning themselves ahead of the next electoral cycle.
The strong showing by UDA comes at a time when opposition parties have been attempting to reorganize and rebuild influence across various counties following shifting political realignments within the national landscape.
Channel 15 News understands that senior political operatives from multiple camps closely monitored the outcomes of the three contests, viewing them as a barometer of current voter mood and party popularity on the ground.
