Republican Liberty Party candidate Steve David Kipruto has conceded defeat in the heated Baringo senatorial by-election, effectively paving the way for a victory for the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.

The concession, announced via a social media statement on Thursday evening, brings an early end to a spirited contest held to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Senator William Cheptumo in February. For the people of Baringo, the outcome reaffirms the ruling party's grip on Rift Valley politics, shaping the leadership that will champion their interests in Nairobi on critical issues like security and development.

In his statement, Kipruto thanked his supporters for mounting a formidable challenge despite significant financial disadvantages. He alleged, however, that the election's integrity was compromised in the final hours. "We were winning this election until yesterday, when they unleashed millions. They virtually bought all votes," Kipruto claimed, expressing disappointment that voters were swayed by handouts.

UDA's Dominance Tested

The by-election was a significant political barometer, attracting six candidates and testing the UDA's dominance in one of its core strongholds. The ruling party's candidate, Vincent Chemitei, emerged as the frontrunner after a competitive UDA primary in September that saw nine aspirants vie for the ticket. The race was one of 24 by-elections held across the country on November 27, seen as a mini-general election and a stress test for the newly constituted IEBC ahead of 2027.

Key details of the Baringo race include:

• Reason for By-Election: To replace Senator William Cheptumo, who passed away in February 2025.
• Key Candidates: Steve David Kipruto (Republican Liberty Party) and Vincent Chemitei (UDA) were the main contenders.
• Voter Turnout: The election was marked by low voter turnout across the county's 281,053 registered voters.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) had assured the public of its readiness to conduct a free and fair election, deploying materials to 1,029 polling stations. Official results are expected to be posted on the commission's public portal.

Despite conceding, Kipruto hinted at a political future, stating that his campaign symbol, the horse, "will return again." His immediate focus, however, shifts to the official declaration from the IEBC and what the new leadership under Chemitei will deliver for the residents of Baringo County.