Keroche's Tabitha Karanja wins Nakuru UDA Senate race

Nakuru UDA Senator aspirant Tabitha Karanja after she was declared winner during the nominations at Nakuru High School. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Keroche Breweries CEO Tabitha Karanja has secured the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ticket to vie for the Nakuru senate seat.

Karanja beat five other candidates garnering 98,439 votes against her closest challenger Daniel Gichanga who got 12,240 votes. Former civic leader Andrew Yatich came in third with 8,043 votes.

In her acceptance speech, Tabitha dedicated her victory to the party.

“I thank Nakuru people for nominating me. I assure them that I am more ready than before. With their support, we shall face the Azimio team and deliver the Senate seat to Kenya Kwanza coalition,” said Karanja.

“Each of us had a strategy and manifesto for the people of Nakuru. We shall collaborate with them for the benefit of Nakuru residents,” she added.

Liza Chelule garnered 86,340 votes for the Woman Representative seat, Jenniffer Kajuju got 56,022 votes while Flora Kiprop got 25,955 votes.

Chelule could not hide her joy as she received her certificate.

"I am ready to serve Nakuru residents without fail. It is a great honour that they have trusted me with this noble task. Cohesion remains among my key goals in the county," said Chelule.

She explained that she would work together with her UDA competitors who also unanimously agreed to support her.

"Our first goal is to secure the seats at the county level and ultimately the presidency. Whether a voter supported me or not, we are all Nakuru people and I shall without reservations serve all fairly," she said.