The Nandi Hills Member of Parliament Alfred Keter has finally been issued with an interim nomination certificate after a protracted standoff with the party after his victory.

While giving his acceptance speech, Keter urged his party to respect the wishes of the people.

"We are asking our party UDA, to respect the citizens who vote," Keter said.

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Keter's supporters pitched camp at the UDA party nominations tallying centre at Samoei High School.

The supporters demanded an interim certificate to be issued to the winner after Keter beat his closest competitor Benard Kitur with a 2,797 votes margin.

However, Keter, who won with 10,263 after beating Kitur who got 7,469 votes, did not receive his interim nomination certificate when he was called to be congratulated for his win.

This was unique to other UDA primaries where interim nomination certificates were issued immediately after the winner was announced raising questions on whether his win would be validated.

The Returning Officer Veronica Chebii is alleged to have told Keter that the interim certificate would be issued to him on Wednesday.

Keter and his supporters were adamant that they would not leave until the certificate was handed over to him as the valid candidate nominated by Nandi Hills constituents.

"We are not leaving here until tomorrow when we will be handed the nomination certificate," Keter said while addressing his supporters.

Keter and his supporters suspected that something was amiss amid claims that there was a plot to rig him out as a number of DP William Ruto allies were opposed to his candidature.

They decided to keep vigil at the tallying centre hall until the certificate was released to Keter.

One supporter said that if Keter was denied the right to defend his seat on the UDA ticket, then they were ready to pay the price.

Ruto allies led by Stephen Sang, Samson Cherargei, Oscar Sudi, Caleb Kositany and Didmus Barasa has openly opposed Keter's candidature and campaigned against the vocal MP.    

Keter’s supporters had earlier in the day sent away Nyeri Woman Representative Rahab Mukami, UDA party observer from the tallying centre, accusing her of being sent to rig him out.

Keter has been a strong critic of the Deputy President and has on many ocassions since 2013 lambasted him publicly on his alleged involvement in graft and questioned his track record.