According to early tallying figures from 13 out of the 94 polling stations, Keter had secured 2,658 votes, placing him ahead of his closest rival Vincent Rotich of the Democratic Congress Party (DCP), who garnered 1,643 votes.
The preliminary results have energized UDA supporters, who gathered at various tallying centres celebrating and expressing confidence that the ruling party is on course to retain the seat. Party supporters waved UDA flags, chanted slogans, and praised the government’s campaign strategy in the constituency.
Political observers say the early advantage may reflect the strong mobilization efforts carried out by UDA leaders and grassroots organizers in the days leading to the by-election. The contest attracted significant national political attention, with senior leaders from both the ruling side and opposition camps actively campaigning in the area.
Analysts believe the ruling party viewed the Emurua Dikirr race as politically symbolic, particularly at a time when debates surrounding support for President William Ruto in parts of the Rift Valley and other regions continue intensifying ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Despite trailing in the early results, Vincent Rotich’s camp has maintained that the race is still open. His supporters argue that several polling stations yet to submit results are located in areas considered strongholds for the DCP candidate.
With only 13 polling stations counted and 81 still outstanding, political analysts caution against drawing final conclusions too early. They note that voter turnout patterns in the remaining centres could significantly alter the final outcome.
The by-election has also generated heated political debate due to the involvement of high-profile national figures who openly backed different candidates during campaigns. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had publicly endorsed Vincent Rotich, while UDA leaders campaigned aggressively for David Keter.
Security remained tight during the voting and tallying process as authorities monitored the exercise to ensure calm and transparency throughout the constituency.
Meanwhile, election officials continued receiving and verifying results from various polling stations as residents anxiously awaited the official declaration from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
The Emurua Dikirr by-election is widely viewed as more than just a local contest, with many political observers describing it as an important indicator of shifting political influence ahead of the next general election cycle.
As counting progresses, both camps remain cautiously optimistic, knowing that the remaining votes could still shape the final direction of the highly competitive race.
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