The outspoken senator publicly celebrated the growing margin after provisional tallies placed David Kipsang Keter far ahead of his rivals in the closely watched parliamentary contest in Narok County.
According to the latest counted results, Keter had amassed 12,133 votes out of 19,065 ballots tallied so far, representing approximately 63.6 percent of the vote.
His closest challenger, Vincent Kibet Rotich of the Democracy for the Citizens Party, trailed with 6,630 votes, equivalent to 34.8 percent.
The remaining candidates posted significantly lower numbers.
Gideon Koech of the National Vision Party had secured 81 votes, while Desma Cherono of the Party of National Unity garnered 50 votes.
Kipronoh Rotich of the Republican Liberty Party remained last with 36 votes.
The widening gap prompted Cherargei to boldly proclaim that Emurua Dikirr firmly belongs to UDA politically.
In his remarks, the senator described the results as evidence that the ruling party continues enjoying deep grassroots support in the Rift Valley region despite growing political competition in other parts of the country.
Political observers note that the by-election has become more than just a local contest, with national leaders closely monitoring the outcome for signs of shifting political loyalties ahead of the 2027 General Election.
For President William Ruto and his allies, a decisive UDA victory would reinforce perceptions that the party still maintains strong influence within its traditional strongholds.
The early dominance by Keter has largely been attributed to an aggressive grassroots mobilisation campaign backed by local leaders, party structures, and sustained voter outreach efforts.
UDA campaigners focused heavily on development promises, continuity in government projects, and defending the party’s regional dominance.
Meanwhile, Rotich’s supporters have continued urging patience, arguing that some polling centres are yet to report fully.
However, analysts say overcoming a lead of more than 5,500 votes could prove extremely difficult unless voting patterns shift dramatically in the remaining stations.
At tallying centres, Keter’s supporters erupted into celebrations as new results streamed in, waving party flags and chanting pro-UDA slogans.
The atmosphere remained tense but largely peaceful as election officials continued verification and counting processes.
Cherargei, known for his fiery political style and outspoken public statements, has already shifted focus toward governance and future development, signaling confidence that the race may already be beyond reach for the opposition.
Political analysts believe the Emurua Dikirr outcome could serve as an important indicator of the broader political mood within Rift Valley constituencies as succession politics and coalition realignments intensify nationally.
While official final results are still pending, the current numbers strongly suggest that UDA is on course for a major victory in one of the most closely watched by-elections in recent months.
