Voters across the country have delivered a bloodbath, sending numerous prominent politicians home, early results from Tuesday’s election indicate

Many of the big time losers took to social media to concede defeat after losing to nondescript opponents.

Among the heavyweights who lost was Amos Kimunya of Kipipiri constituency, who was the Leader of Majority in the National Assembly.

Jubilee Party Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni also lost the Ndaragwa parliamentary seat as did Busia Governor Sospeter Ojamong and Baringo Senator Gideon Moi.

In a rare show of grace, many of the losers accepted their fate and used social media platforms to concede defeat.

Among those who lost were Kirinyaga Senator Charles Kibiru, MPs Naomi Shabaan (Taveta), Kanini Kega (Kieni) and Alfred Keter (Nandi Hills).

Other high profile losers included outspoken Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria, who was seeking to be governor of Kiambu.

In a light-hearted social media post, Kuria thanked his supporters and told them he would be going back to the private sector.

Nixon Korir, who was seeking to defend his Lang’ata seat also lost as did George Theuri (Embakasi West) and former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president Nelson Havi (Westlands). Havi was making his first stab at a parliamentary seat.

Victor Munyaka (Machakos Town), William Chepkut (Ainabkoi), Pricilla Nyokabi and Kabando wa Kabando, who were both vying for the Nyeri senatorial seat, also lost.

“Yellow fever has consumed us in Nyeri,” Nyokabi humorously observed as she reminded her constituents that it was also her birthday and would be moving on despite the loss.

Baringo Governor Stanley Kiptis, through his running mate Richard Koech, also conceded defeat after losing to his predecessor, Benjamin Cheboi, who has made a comeback.

Interestingly a large number of those who lost their seats are from the Mt Kenya region, where candidates allied to Deputy President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) carried the day in most voting areas.

Gideon, who is also the Kanu chairman, is perhaps the biggest casualty of the Ruto wave that reverberated across the Rift Valley region. Early results showed that he was headed for a resounding defeat by outgoing Baringo North MP William Cheptumo. By last evening, Cheptumo was cruising to victory with 71,325 votes against Gideon’s 29,673.

Although the votes had not been officially released, Cheptumo hinted that he had all but clinched the seat.

“Very impressive!” he posted on his Facebook page.

Ojaamong, the outgoing Busia governor and a close ally of Azimio-One Kenya flagbearer Raila Odinga, conceded defeat in the Teso South parliamentary contest.

He had served the constitutional two terms as governor.

In a statement on his Facebook page, Ojaamong thanked his competitors and asked those who had voted for him to support the winner.

“The elections are over, but our principles will endure for generations,” he wrote. “Thank you to my family, friends, team and campaigners for your unwavering support during my reign and campaign period. Congratulations to you all in your svarious victories in this election.”

In Kipipiri, Kimunya thanked the people for electing him for the last 15 years.

“Yesterday’s election was historic for Mt Kenya Region, including Kipipiri, and will hopefully offer a moment of reflection,” he said philosophically. “The people made their decision, which was different from our expectations. In a democracy, the will of the people prevails, and therefore I and #TeamKimunya, will respect their choices. We extend our congratulations to the winners.”

Kioni, who was the Ndaragua MP and a close ally of President Uhuru Kenyatta, also conceded defeat after he lost to a political newcomer.

Kanini Kega, who is the Jubilee Party’s Director of Elections, also conceded defeat after he lost to Njoroge Wainaina, alias Cieni.

“Opening a new chapter, when one door closes another one is opened,” read a statement he posted on his Facebook account.

In Nandi Hills, Keter, a fierce Ruto critic who contested as an independent candidate after his nomination was nullified by UDA, lost to Bernard Kitur who contested on the party’s ticket.

Final results showed that Kitur had garnered 23,243 votes against Keter’s 17,990.

At the Coast, Shaban — who served for 20 years in Parliament, including as assistant minister — and who has been a strong ally of the President, also conceded defeat and congratulated her rival, Mombasa-based lawyer Bwire Akano of Wiper Party.

The long serving MP was defending her seat under Jubilee Party ticket.

“Good people, there is time for everything. Well -done team Bwire. Taveta, thank you for giving me a chance to serve you for 20 years. My young brother Bwire Okano, I congratulate you,” she wrote.

In Nairobi, Havi also conceded defeat after losing to ODM’s Timothy Wanyonyi who was defending his Westlands parliamentary seat. Wanyonyi had earlier in the year been persuaded to shelve his ambitions to vie for the Nairobi governorship.

“The majority chose Timothy Wanyonyi. They duly deserve him in their wisdom or lack of it,” he said, tongue-in-cheek. “Congratulations to you my elder brother, Tim Wanyonyi. Serve well.”

In Lang’ata constituency, first term MP Korir, who was seeking to retain his seat on a UDA ticket, conceded defeat and congratulated his competitor ODM’s Felix Oduor alias Jalang’o, a comedian and radio personality.

“I want to congratulate him as he prepares to take the mantle and move Lang’ata forward,” said Korir.

In Machakos Town, long serving MP Munyaka — who was seeking to retain the seat on UDA ticket — also conceded defeat and congratulated his competitor Caleb Mule of Maendeleo Chap Chap.

“I take this opportunity to congratulate hon. Caleb Mule for winning the Machakos Constituency seat,” stated Munyaka.

In Kirinyaga County, Kibiru also threw in the towel after the incumbent, Governor Ann Waiguru opened a commanding lead.

“I take this early opportunity to accept and respect the choice of Kirinyaga voters in relation to the just concluded gubernatorial election where I was a candidate,” Kibiru wrote on his Facebook page.

It was still not clear who was winning the race as Waiguru protested over alleged irregularities. Wangui Ngirichi, the outgoing Woman Rep, is also in the gubernatorial race. Kuria, who was vying for the Kiambu governor seat, also threw in the towel, saying: “I enjoyed every minute of my eight years in elective politics. Back to the private sector. Happily.”          

Voters across the country have delivered a bloodbath, sending numerous prominent politicians home, early results from Tuesday’s election indicate.

Many of the big time losers took to social media to concede defeat after losing to nondescript opponents.

Among the heavyweights who lost was Amos Kimunya of Kipipiri constituency, who was the Leader of Majority in the National Assembly.

Jubilee Party Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni also lost the Ndaragwa parliamentary seat as did Busia Governor Sospeter Ojamong and Baringo Senator Gideon Moi.

In a rare show of grace, many of the losers accepted their fate and used social media platforms to concede defeat.

Among those who lost were Kirinyaga Senator Charles Kibiru, MPs Naomi Shabaan (Taveta), Kanini Kega (Kieni) and Alfred Keter (Nandi Hills).

Other high profile losers included outspoken Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria, who was seeking to be governor of Kiambu.

In a light-hearted social media post, Kuria thanked his supporters and told them he would be going back to the private sector.

Nixon Korir, who was seeking to defend his Lang’ata seat also lost as did George Theuri (Embakasi West) and former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president Nelson Havi (Westlands). Havi was making his first stab at a parliamentary seat.

Victor Munyaka (Machakos Town), William Chepkut (Ainabkoi), Pricilla Nyokabi and Kabando wa Kabando, who were both vying for the Nyeri senatorial seat, also lost.

“Yellow fever has consumed us in Nyeri,” Nyokabi humorously observed as she reminded her constituents that it was also her birthday and would be moving on despite the loss.

Baringo Governor Stanley Kiptis, through his running mate Richard Koech, also conceded defeat after losing to his predecessor, Benjamin Cheboi, who has made a comeback.

Interestingly a large number of those who lost their seats are from the Mt Kenya region, where candidates allied to Deputy President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) carried the day in most voting areas.

Gideon, who is also the Kanu chairman, is perhaps the biggest casualty of the Ruto wave that reverberated across the Rift Valley region. Early results showed that he was headed for a resounding defeat by outgoing Baringo North MP William Cheptumo. By last evening, Cheptumo was cruising to victory with 71,325 votes against Gideon’s 29,673.

Although the votes had not been officially released, Cheptumo hinted that he had all but clinched the seat.

“Very impressive!” he posted on his Facebook page.

Ojaamong, the outgoing Busia governor and a close ally of Azimio-One Kenya flagbearer Raila Odinga, conceded defeat in the Teso South parliamentary contest.

He had served the constitutional two terms as governor.

In a statement on his Facebook page, Ojaamong thanked his competitors and asked those who had voted for him to support the winner.

“The elections are over, but our principles will endure for generations,” he wrote. “Thank you to my family, friends, team and campaigners for your unwavering support during my reign and campaign period. Congratulations to you all in your svarious victories in this election.”

In Kipipiri, Kimunya thanked the people for electing him for the last 15 years.

“Yesterday’s election was historic for Mt Kenya Region, including Kipipiri, and will hopefully offer a moment of reflection,” he said philosophically. “The people made their decision, which was different from our expectations. In a democracy, the will of the people prevails, and therefore I and #TeamKimunya, will respect their choices. We extend our congratulations to the winners.”

Kioni, who was the Ndaragua MP and a close ally of President Uhuru Kenyatta, also conceded defeat after he lost to a political newcomer.

Kanini Kega, who is the Jubilee Party’s Director of Elections, also conceded defeat after he lost to Njoroge Wainaina, alias Cieni.

“Opening a new chapter, when one door closes another one is opened,” read a statement he posted on his Facebook account.

In Nandi Hills, Keter, a fierce Ruto critic who contested as an independent candidate after his nomination was nullified by UDA, lost to Bernard Kitur who contested on the party’s ticket.

Final results showed that Kitur had garnered 23,243 votes against Keter’s 17,990.

At the Coast, Shaban — who served for 20 years in Parliament, including as assistant minister — and who has been a strong ally of the President, also conceded defeat and congratulated her rival, Mombasa-based lawyer Bwire Akano of Wiper Party.

The long serving MP was defending her seat under Jubilee Party ticket.

“Good people, there is time for everything. Well -done team Bwire. Taveta, thank you for giving me a chance to serve you for 20 years. My young brother Bwire Okano, I congratulate you,” she wrote.

In Nairobi, Havi also conceded defeat after losing to ODM’s Timothy Wanyonyi who was defending his Westlands parliamentary seat. Wanyonyi had earlier in the year been persuaded to shelve his ambitions to vie for the Nairobi governorship.

“The majority chose Timothy Wanyonyi. They duly deserve him in their wisdom or lack of it,” he said, tongue-in-cheek. “Congratulations to you my elder brother, Tim Wanyonyi. Serve well.”

In Lang’ata constituency, first term MP Korir, who was seeking to retain his seat on a UDA ticket, conceded defeat and congratulated his competitor ODM’s Felix Oduor alias Jalang’o, a comedian and radio personality.

“I want to congratulate him as he prepares to take the mantle and move Lang’ata forward,” said Korir.

In Machakos Town, long serving MP Munyaka — who was seeking to retain the seat on UDA ticket — also conceded defeat and congratulated his competitor Caleb Mule of Maendeleo Chap Chap.

“I take this opportunity to congratulate hon. Caleb Mule for winning the Machakos Constituency seat,” stated Munyaka.

In Kirinyaga County, Kibiru also threw in the towel after the incumbent, Governor Ann Waiguru opened a commanding lead.

“I take this early opportunity to accept and respect the choice of Kirinyaga voters in relation to the just concluded gubernatorial election where I was a candidate,” Kibiru wrote on his Facebook page.

It was still not clear who was winning the race as Waiguru protested over alleged irregularities. Wangui Ngirichi, the outgoing Woman Rep, is also in the gubernatorial race. Kuria, who was vying for the Kiambu governor seat, also threw in the towel, saying: “I enjoyed every minute of my eight years in elective politics. Back to the private sector. Happily.”