United Democratic Alliance candidate David Keter, widely known as ‘Dollarline’, has emerged victorious in the Emurua Dikirr parliamentary by-election conducted on May 14, 2026.
Keter beat four other contenders to secure the seat, among them Vincent Rotich of DCP, Gideon Koech of NVP, Desmas Cherono of PNU and Kenneth Kiprono of RLP.
The parliamentary position fell vacant after the death of former MP Johana Ngeno, who lost his life alongside five others in a helicopter crash at Chepkiep village in Mosop Sub-county, Nandi County, on February 28.
Voting Exercise Conducted Peacefully
According to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, polling stations opened at 6am and closed at 5pm, with voters who were still in queues by closing time allowed to cast their ballots.
The commission stated that any delays experienced during the exercise would be compensated at the end of the voting period.
The by-election was largely peaceful, with residents turning up steadily across polling centres to participate in the exercise. Security personnel were also deployed in different stations to maintain order throughout the day.
IEBC had earlier cautioned voters against taking photographs or recording videos inside polling booths, warning that such actions amount to election offences under Kenyan law.
The commission noted that individuals found guilty risk fines of up to KSh1 million, imprisonment for up to three years, or both.
Keter’s Political Journey
Keter’s political involvement traces back to 2007 when he played a prominent mobilisation role in the late Johana Ng’eno’s first parliamentary bid for the Kilgoris seat.
Although Ng’eno lost that election, Keter built a reputation as a skilled grassroots organiser and influential political strategist within Narok County politics.
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His profile later expanded through his association with the late John Marintany during campaigns that helped propel Samuel ole Tunai to become Narok County’s inaugural governor.
Keter is also credited with championing the selection of Evelyn Chepkirui Aruasa as Tunai’s running mate, a move widely viewed as instrumental in consolidating support from the Kalenjin voting bloc.
Despite several unsuccessful attempts at the Kilgoris parliamentary seat in the 2013, 2017 and 2022 General Elections, Keter steadily grew his political base.
He garnered approximately 7,000 votes in the 2013 election and improved his tally to 14,596 votes in 2022. In all three contests, he finished second to his longtime political rival, the late Johana Ng’eno.
