Emurua Dikirr Member of Parliament-elect David Keter, popularly known as Dollarline, has pledged to unite the people of Emurua Dikirr and address poor infrastructure and poverty after clinching the constituency’s parliamentary seat in the by-election.
Speaking on Thursday shortly after being declared the winner, Keter described his victory as the culmination of a long political journey marked by repeated defeats and resilience.
“Thank you so much. Nafurahi sana kwa hii ushindi nimepata leo. In fact, it has been a long journey. I started contesting way back in 2013. I think this is my fourth time contesting, and I thank God today for giving me this opportunity this time to lead the people of Emurua Dikirr,” Keter said.
According to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, Keter, who contested on a United Democratic Alliance ticket, garnered 18,266 votes to defeat Vincent Kibet Rotich of the Democratic Congress Party, who received 10,760 votes.
Returning Officer Caleb Gekonde officially declared Keter the winner after the constituency recorded a voter turnout of 66.6 per cent, with 29,538 votes cast out of 44,353 registered voters.
Keter said his immediate focus would be addressing the constituency’s poor road network, high poverty levels and unemployment among women and youth.
“As you have seen, I am going to inherit and work on the condition of poor road network in this place. It is a very big challenge,” he said.
“The poverty level in Emurua Dikirr is also very high. In fact, I am having a big challenge trying to solve the challenges facing women and youth of Emurua Dikirr.”
The MP-elect also called for unity among residents and political rivals following a fiercely contested campaign season.
“I want to bring the people of this constituency together like the way we were in 2007. Now that I have been elected as MP, I will do anything possible to bring these people together and the people of Narok County,” Keter said.
He also praised his competitors, saying politics should not divide leaders permanently.
“I want to wish them well as they do other things because politics is not the end of everything, and I know they will come back again like me. You have to be resilient,” he said.
“In fact, I was defeated three times. When I was defeated three times, I never lost hope. I said one day, one time, I will get to be the MP of this area.”
UDA later celebrated the victory in a congratulatory message shared on social media.
“Congratulations, David Keter alias Dollarline, on your victory in the Emurua Dikirr Constituency by-election. Your win is a show of the trust and confidence the people of Emurua Dikirr have in your leadership,” the party said.
“The UDA Party celebrates this victory and sincerely thanks the people of Emurua Dikirr for their support and belief in the party’s agenda.”
The by-election was conducted following the death of area MP Johanna Ng’eno.
