Emurua Dikirr mini-poll marred by chaos after rival groups clash
Rift Valley
By
Standard Team
| May 15, 2026
Voters queue to cast their ballots at Kapweria Polling Station at Kabolecho School in Emurua Dikirr, Narok County. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]
The Emurua Dikirr by-election ended yesterday evening, with four people sustaining injuries after rival groups clashed on voting day.
The exercise was marred by violence at the beginning, prompting security agencies to intervene to ensure a smooth voting process.
Residents turned out in large numbers to cast their votes in a tense contest widely seen as a supremacy battle between President William Ruto and his former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua.
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With the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) fielding David Kipsang Keter and the Democratic Citizens Party (DCP) backing Vincent Kibet Rotich, the mini-poll attracted national attention as rival political camps sought to test their influence ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The tense contest yesterday was overshadowed by violence and allegations of voter intimidation, with at least four people injured in separate incidents at polling stations across the constituency.
One of the victims, Kipkorir Koech, said he was assaulted shortly after casting his vote at Lelechonik Polling Station at around 6:30 am.
He alleged that a group of youths confronted him at the gate and accused him of voting for a DCP candidate before attacking him. “The group said I had voted for a DCP candidate and started assaulting me. I don’t know what happened, as I was only exercising my right,” he said.
He sustained injuries to his head and back and later reported the matter at Emurua Dikirr Police Station under OB 11/14/05/2026.
Koech also alleged that some voters were being blocked from accessing polling stations.
In another incident, Cheruiyot Yegon said he was attacked after attempting to vote at a polling station where youths had allegedly blocked access. He managed to force his way in and cast his vote before being assaulted as he exited the station. The incident was recorded under OB 08/14/05/2026 at Emurua Dikirr Police Station.
Narok County Police Commander Patrick Lobolia confirmed isolated cases of disruption but maintained that the overall security situation remained under control.
“There are only two disruptions that happened in the early morning at Kiribiwet and Chelemei polling stations within Kapsasian Ward. We responded, and the situation was handled, and voting continued,” said Lobolia.
He added that two youths were also injured following a fight near Chelemei Polling Station, during which one allegedly drew a Maasai sword during the confrontation.
Despite the violence, voting continued under heavy police deployment across key polling centres.
DCP’s Rotich accused security agencies of failing to act decisively against alleged voter intimidation and politically motivated attacks targeting his supporters.
He claimed several of his supporters and party officials were attacked by suspected political goons in Chelemei and Kilibwet polling centres.
“We are deeply concerned about the growing cases of intimidation targeting our supporters and candidates. Security agencies must remain vigilant and neutral to ensure every voter exercises their democratic right without fear,” he added.
He further alleged that some of the DCP agents had been denied access to polling stations despite the heavy security presence.
On the other hand, UDA’s Keter expressed confidence in victory after casting his ballot at Chelemei Polling Station at around 9:30 am. He praised voters for turning out despite heavy rain and poor road conditions that hampered movement in some parts of the constituency.
Other candidates in the race include Cherono Desma (PNU), Gideon Koech (National Vision Party) and Kipronoh Rotich (RLP).