Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter vows he will defend his seat as an independent candidate after UDA party nullified his win in the primaries held on Tuesday over claims of misconducts.

Keter, in an interview with Nation.Africa, dared UDA to a fierce fight in the August 9 election after he resigns from the party headed by Deputy President William Ruto on Monday.

On Friday, UDA tribunal ruled that the MP’s challenger, Bernard Kitur, proved that the primaries were marred by illegalities and irregularities that adversely affected its outcome.

The tribunal judges Collins Kiprono, Jadrian Kamotho and Mary Mungai then controversially nullified Keter’s primaries victory and instead handed a nomination certificate to Kitur.

Rigathi Gachagua and Alfred Keter. PHOTO/COURTESY

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However, Keter reads malice in the decision promising UDA a humiliating defeat in August.

“There was nothing like a tribunal. It was just a rubber stamp to perpetuate an injustice and subvert the will of Nandi Hills constituents. But I am warning them of a humiliating defeat in the General Election because I will defend my seat as an independent candidate. My denial of the certificate was not a coincidence,” he told Nation.Africa.

Keter has been a strong critic of Ruto since 2013 saying he was not fit to inherit power from President Uhuru Kenyatta with the DP’s allies campaigning against him in the primaries.

“The party was deliberate from the word go to deny me the ticket because they started by delaying the delivery of voting materials. And when it was evident that I was poised to win, they stuffed over 5,000 ballots in favour of Kitur. Kitur was nowhere near my victory,” Keter said during the interview.


Keter bagged 10,273 votes to beat Kitur who garnered 7,468 votes, according to the results announced during the heated Nandi Hills constituency primaries announced on Tueday.

“I am resigning tomorrow (Monday) from the UDA party and will hit the ground campaigning to recapture my seat from puppets who want to deny Nandi Hills people democracy. I am buoyed by my development record, which speaks for itself and I am optimistic of retaining my seat on this account,” the firebrand lawmaker added.

He was non-committal on whether he will still back Ruto for president after the fiasco.