Narok governor's faction prevails in UDA grassroots polls

Governor Patrick Ntutu. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

The United Democratic Alliance's (UDA) second phase of the grassroots election came to a close in Narok County, with delegates supporting Governor Patrick Ntutu's faction.

Ntutu's faction managed to bag 86 per cent of the elected positions after his 516 allies won different seats compared to 14 per cent for his nemesis Narok West MP Gabriel ole Tongoyo.

Addressing the media at the Governor's official residence in Narok town, county assembly Majority Leader Sonkoi Lemein said results indicated that the governor's team managed to take all 20 delegates in almost all wards.

“It is important to highlight that our statistics from our tallying centre indicate that Team Patrick Ole Ntutu managed to sweep all 20 delegates in several wards, including Keiyian, Shankoe, Majimoto/Naroosura, Sogoo, and Sagamean,” Lemein said.

He said the team triumphed in Olposimoru and Narok Town wards where they secured 19 delegates in each ward and in Narok West.

Narok West is Tongoyo's constituency, and Ntutu's team managed to garner 71 delegates against nine delegates seats. Some 600 delegates voted.

“While we celebrate this victory, we also recognise the importance of unity within our party. We extend an olive branch to the other team and their supporters, inviting them to join hands with us as we move forward." Lemein said.

"Together, we can build a stronger, more cohesive UDA Party that stands firm on the principles of democracy and good governance," he added. 

Ntutu side got 71 against nine delegates in Emurua Dikirr, 100 against 20 in Kilgoris, 68 against 12 in Narok East, 92 against 28 in Narok West, 114 against 6 in Narok South and 71 against nine in Narok Wests sub-counties.

The governor congratulated the delegates, saying there was no way his opponent would trounce his team.

He said he had the support of the six Members of Parliament; Kitilai Ntutu (Narok South), Julius Sunkuli (Kilgoris), Rebeca Tonkei (Women Rep), David Ole Sankok (Eala), Agnes Pareyio (Narok North) and Johanna Ngeno (Emurua-Dikirr).

Tongoyo enjoyed the support of  Narok East MP Lemanken Aramat and former Narok South lawmaker Korei Lemein.

“Narok North and Narok East were known to be strongholds of the Azimio One Kenya coalition, but now the people there have embraced the UDA movement. It is evident from the UDA polls that Raila Odinga-led coalition is losing ground here, and we will paint Narok yellow and green flags here ahead of the 2027 General Election,” said Ntutu.

The governor thanked the county security teams led by the local police commander Kipkech Lotiatia for containing chaos in Ilamashariani Primary School polling centre where two factions clashed over poll agents, like at the in Narok town.

Ntutu challenged his competitor to step down from the Narok chairmanship position, saying the outcome of the grassroots poll shows that he is not popular.

Tonkei, who is the UDA dispute resolution chairperson, said Narok residents have spoken, and the governor must be the chairman of the party at the county level.

“At the national level, the president is the party leader, equally at the county level, it’s the governor who must be the chairman of the party, there is no way we can bring in an MP to be the chair and the governor to seat as the member,” she said.