The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has announced a change in its nomination schedule for Emurua Dikirr Constituency in Narok County, moving the exercise forward by a day. The party’s National Elections Board (NEB) said on Wednesday that nominations, originally planned for Saturday, March 28, will now take place on Friday, March 27, 2026.
The board noted that the adjustment follows a previous notice issued on March 16 and emphasized that nomination activities in other constituencies will continue as planned on March 28.
These include Porro Ward in Samburu West, Samburu County, and Endo Ward in Marakwet East, Elgeyo Marakwet County. Polling stations in all areas will be open from 7 am to 5 pm.
UDA encouraged party members to complete their nomination applications via the UDA online portal before the deadline on Friday, March 20, at 5 pm.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has scheduled the by-election in Emurua Dikirr for May 14, following the death of long-serving MP Johanna Ng’eno. Ng’eno, 53, died in a helicopter crash in Mosop on February 28, along with five others. He had represented the constituency since its creation in 2013, winning under three different party tickets.
Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula formally informed the IEBC of the vacancy on March 10, in line with constitutional and electoral requirements. The by-election is expected to be closely contested in a constituency with around 44,040 registered voters, making it the smallest in Narok County.
Emurua Dikirr is largely home to the Kipsigis community and was carved out of Kilgoris Constituency after the 2007 elections.
Political attention is also on Ng’eno’s family, with his widow, Naiyanoi Ntutu, emerging as a potential candidate after receiving support from Kapkaon clan elders. At the late MP’s funeral, his 91-year-old mother, Mary Temas, appealed to residents to keep leadership in the family, saying the baton “will remain in the family.”
For the upcoming poll, IEBC has appointed Caleb Siriba Gekonde as returning officer, assisted by Sylvia Jepchumba as deputy returning officer.
The commission estimates the election will cost Sh60 million and has warned all parties, candidates, and supporters to adhere to the Electoral Code of Conduct. Election offences will attract penalties under the Election Offences Act.
According to a notice from IEBC chairperson Erastus Ethekon, political parties intending to participate must submit the names of candidates for party primaries by March 25, 2026, and provide the dates for their nomination exercises.
