By B, KNA
Kiprono Chemitei has been declared winner of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party nominations for Baringo County Senatorial by election slated for November 27.
Chemitei who is a youthful candidate emerged winner with 48, 791 votes after trouncing his closest challenger, Wycliffe Tobole, who came in second with 30, 897 votes in a race, which was contested by nine aspirants.
The County Returning Officer, Ceaser Njoroge, announced the results at the Kabarnet Rehabilitation School, Sunday, where Daniel Kiptoo managed the third position after garnering 23,613 votes across the 973 polling stations.
The seat fell vacant following the demise of William Cheptumo in February this year.
Sylus Tochim and Evans Mundulel settled in distant fourth and fifth positions after securing 769 and 735 votes respectively.
Four aspirants who had withdrawn in the last days before the party primaries, due to eligibility rules all secured less than 200 votes after their names were retained in the electronic voting system, which was being piloted in the County for the first time.
Chemitei couldn’t hide his happiness as he dedicated the victory to the people of Baringo for trusting him to fly the party ticket.
He promised to serve them with dedication and honour if granted the chance to become the next Baringo County Senator.
Njoroge thanked Baringo residents for the peaceful exercise, stating that it met all the standards.
“We are grateful as a party for having a paperless exercise which was very transparent,” he said.
UDA National Elections Board (NEB) member, Mary Mutinga, said the battle is on after the party got its flag-bearer for the upcoming by-elections for some vacant, slots in parts of the country.