Official results from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) indicate that the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) presidential candidate, William Ruto, garnered majority of votes cast in President Uhuru Kenyatta’s home constituency of Gatundu South.
According to data entered in the constituency’s Form 34B, Ruto got 41,712 votes which account for 76.4 per cent of the total votes cast. His closest competitor, Raila Odinga, of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) managed 12,290 votes.
Ruto also got the majority of votes in Uhuru’s polling station of Mutomo Primary School. The UDA candidate got 983 votes against Raila’s 464.
The UDA party also bagged the majority of seats in Uhuru’s home county, which is a continuation of the DP Ruto-led party’s onslaught in the vote-rich Mount Kenya region.
Gabriel Kagombe of UDA was announced as the winner in the Gatundu South parliamentary seat elections. Kagombe garnered 17,825 votes ahead of independent candidate, Kung’u Kibathi, who managed 15,470 votes.
These results are despite President Uhuru’s open endorsement of Raila as his preferred successor.
The retiring Head of State has been on record cautioning Kenyans against electing Ruto arguing that he is unfit to lead the country.
Provisional results have also shown that Ruto bagged the majority of votes in most parts of the Mount Kenya region.
The fallout between Uhuru and Ruto changed the political landscape of the region which has in the past election cycles voted as a block.
Despite the promise to support his deputy after the end of his term, Uhuru opted to support his former nemesis Raila Odinga in the race to succeed him.
Uhuru had before the elections cautioned the region’s voters against voting for his deputy. He accused Ruto of absconding his duties and instead prioritizing early campaigns.
“Stop reminding me that I promised to support someone, I did not promise to drive you to a ditch,” Uhuru remarked during a rally on Sunday, August 7.
Kalonzo Delivers Kitui Votes
In Kitui County, results from Wiper Democratic Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s home constituency, Mwingi North, showed that the majority voted in favor of Raila Odinga.
According to data in the constituency’s Form 34B, Raila Odinga received 31,655 votes against Ruto’s 11,508 votes.
Roots Party candidate George Luchiri Wajackoyah got 424 votes while Waihiga Mwaure’s of Agano Party received 230 votes.
