Tim Kipchumba Concedes Defeat in Elgeyo Marakwet Senate Race

Even before the final tally for the Elgeyo Marakwet Senate seat by-election is announced, one of the leading candidates in the race – Tim Kipchumba has conceded defeat.

Kipchumba was battling to replace Kipchumba Murkomen who resigned after his appointment as Transport Cabinet Secretary.

He was in for a two-horse race with United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate William Kisang.

But with provisional results indicating that he had lost to the UDA competitor, the real estate developer says he has already congratulated the winner.

In a tweet, Kipchumba who was vying on a Party of Peace and Development ticket said he had already called Kisang, and congratulated him for the win.

“A few minutes to midnight yesterday, I called Sen Hon Kisang & congratulated him. I assured him of my support as my Senator & the Senator-elect of Elgeyo Marakwet,” said the youthful politician.

“Kait Sait for us to support him & our Kenya Kwanza government under President H.E @WilliamsRuto,” he added.

A few minutes to midnight yesterday, I called Sen Hon Kisang & congratulated him.

I assured him of my support as my Senator & the Senator elect of Elgeyo Marakwet.

Kait Sait for us to support him & our Kenya Kwanza government under President H.E @WilliamsRuto pic.twitter.com/B3HQ9FBK2D

— Tim Kipchumba (@TimKipchumba) January 5, 2023

Provisional results

Provisional results indicate that Kisang, the former Marakwet West MP is headed for a win after garnering 40,045 votes which represent 53 per cent of the votes cast.

Tim Kipchumba had 36,163 votes.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is expected to announce the final results later in the day.

Already, a number of UDA leaders that were involved in the senatorial campaigns have congratulated Kisang on the win.

“Congratulations to Hon William Kisang on your win as the new Senator Elgeyo marakwet. I also commend his main competitor Tim Kipchumba for his spirited fight. The future is bright for Tim,” said Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich.

The Elgeyo Marakwet Senate seat had attracted six candidates, but the race had narrowed down to between William Kisang and Tim Kipchumba.

Others in the race were activist Jerotich Seii, lawyer Andrew Mengich (Independent), Timothy Tanui (The New Democrats) and Kelvin Kemboi.

Seii has also conceded defeat.

“WaKenya: those weren’t the results we had hoped for lakini asiyekubali kushindwa si mshindani,” she tweeted.

WaKenya: those weren't the results we had hoped for lakini asiyekubali kushindwa si mshindani.

The complex world of politics isn't for jokes. #ElgeyoMarakwet did not send me to the Senate to fight from the inside but I will continue to fight on the outside always for Wanjiku.🇰🇪 pic.twitter.com/vO8mdys1BL

— #LindaKatiba (@JerotichSeii) January 5, 2023