Elgeyo Marakwet: Tim Kipchumba, Jerotich Seii Dump UDA After Losing in Primaries

Tim Kipchumba and Jerotich Seii are no longer members of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) after losing in the primaries.

The duo were seeking to fly the UDA flag in the Elgeyo Marakwet senatorial by-election set for January 2023.

Kipchumba will contend for the seat on a The Party for Peace and Development ticket (a Kenya Kwanza affiliate Party) while Seii will fly the Safina Party flag.

“We are still in the race. Thank you, Safina Party, for enabling me to float away to safety from the UDA party primaries in Elgeyo Marakwet County. I remain a stalwart supporter of H.E. @WilliamsRuto and the mission of Kenya Kwanza. This isn’t on him,” Seii wrote on Twitter on Tuesday.

We are still in the race. Thank you, Safina Party, for enabling me to float away to safety from the UDA party primaries in Elgeyo Marakwet County.

I remain a stalwart supporter of H.E. @WilliamsRuto & the mission of Kenya Kwanza. This isn't on him.#MamaKatiba#SeiiForSenate pic.twitter.com/a5IYhln7zH

— Jerotich Seii (@JerotichSeii) December 6, 2022

Kipchumba who has since been cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to contend for the seat said he will work with President William Ruto to “deliver on the hustler mandate”.

“Today we got clearance by IEBC through Peace and Development. I align myself with Kenya Kwanza and ask our people of Elgeyo Marakwet to come out and vote in large numbers on Jan 5 2023,” tweeted the real estate developer turned politician.

Today we got clearance by IEBC through Peace and Development. I align myself with Kenya Kwanza and ask our people of Elgeyo Marakwet to come out and vote in large numbers on Jan 5 2023.

I will work with our president to deliver on the hustler mandate. pic.twitter.com/GTomPaaghX

— Tim Kipchumba (@TimKipchumba) December 6, 2022

He has assured his supporters that should he clinch the seat, he will work with other elected leaders to promote development in the area.

Read: Ex-MP Kisang Wins UDA Ticket for Elgeyo Marakwet Senate By-election

“On successful election, I will work with my colleagues in the Senate to streamline the process of nominations, in the Elections Act, to ensure that no other young potential leader will be denied an equal chance to lead this nation,” he said.

Kipchumba and Seii lost to former Marakwest West MP William Kisang who garnered 28,126 votes.

The aspiring senator came in second with 26,756 votes and Jonah Tanui came third with 26,735 votes.

The seat fell vacant following the appointment of Kipchumba Murkomen as Transport Cabinet Secretary. He was set to serve his third consecutive term in office.