Deputy President William Ruto’s party UDA has nullified the MP Alfred Keter’s party nomination’s win following an appeal by his main competitor.
On Friday, April 22, the UDA party Electoral and Nominations Dispute Resolution Committee declared the Nandi Hills parliamentary nominations results null and void following a successful appeal by Bernad Kitur who had emerged second.
Outspoken MP Alfred Keter was declared the winner of the primaries after garnering 10,363 votes against his main competitor Bernard Kitur who got 7,468 votes.
Other in the race Robert Chepkwony got 2,539 votes, George Taurus had 425 votes, Abraham Limo 540, and Irine Chemutai 388.
Kitur appealed the results of the nomination alleging there were ballot stuffing incidences and delays in the transmission of results in what he termed as electoral malpractice.
The committee concurred with Kitur saying that there were insufficient ballot papers in some polling stations which denied a majority of residents a right to participate in the exercise.
The committee wondered why a section of the aspirants agreed to continue with the exercise when it was clear that ballot papers were not enough.
“The agreement to proceed with the nomination irrespective of insufficient ballot papers was made by the aspirants,
“We shudder to imagine where this authority was derived from. It amounted to a usurpation of the role of the 2nd Respondent (returning officer).” The committee said in its findings.
“We have considered the various submissions made by parties and the evidence before us,
“We are convinced beyond doubt that the allegations substantially affected the results and impeached the integrity of the outcome,” the committee stated.
The committee consequently annulled the results and referred the matter to the National Elections Board for appropriate action bearing in mind that the time frame for party primaries has already lapsed.
Reacting to the latest development, Keter wondered how the committee arrived at that decision saying he has left it to God to intervene.
“Returning Officer declaring me as the presumptive nominee for the position of Member of parliament, Nandi Hills Constituency, is null and void.!!!!!This is ridiculous. I leave it to God.” Keter wrote on Twitter.
