UDA candidate Urbanus Ngengele on Friday, March 19, conceded defeat after Wiper candidate Kavindu Muthama trounced him with a provincial 104,080 votes against 19,735 votes.
In an interview, Ngengele expressed that he was shocked by the outcome of the results but maintained that he had learned from the experience.
"I was very shocked by the outcome of the results but asiyekubali kushindwa si mshindani," he stated.
Ngengele noted that the voter turnout in the area was very low and appealed to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to consider holding the by-elections on weekends when most of the voters were home.
He expressed his gratitude to Deputy President William Ruto and former Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama for believing and supporting him.
Kavindu also expressed disappointment at the low voter turnout suggesting that the IEBC should announce a public holiday on days when by-elections take place.
"I am leading in all eight constituencies and I am thankful for that," she stated.
The other candidates got votes as follows; Mutua Katuku of Maendeleo Chap Chap (1,476), Francis Munyambu (1,461), Simeon Kitheka (1,448), Lily Mwanzia (927), John Musingi (687), Nthenge Otto (159), Jonathan Maweu (155), Sebastian Nthama (131), and Stanley Muindi (95).
Katuku withdrew from the race on Monday, March 15 in favor of the Wiper candidate.
After Katuku’s withdrawal, the leader of Maendeleo Chap Chap Alfred Mutua said the Statehouse deal was made to block Ruto's UDA in the region.
