Twalla only victorious incumbent in Kapchorwa NRM primaries

___________________

In a dramatic twist during the Kapchorwa National Resistance Movement (NRM) parliamentary primary election re-run, Tingey County MP Fadil Twalla emerged Friday as the only sitting legislator in the district to retain the party flag.

Twalla triumphed in a highly competitive race, defeating former MP Kenneth Soyekwo Obama, Nancy Chelangat, and Musa Mashud Chemowo.

He garnered 21,908 votes (60.52%), Obama polled 13,004, Chelangat was third with 878 votes and Chemowo managed 408 votes.

Polling day was marked by a high voter turnout.

The polling and tallying processes, which ran late into Monday night under tight security at the Kapchorwa District Council Hall, concluded with NRM district registrar Isaac Chepkurui officially declaring Twalla the winner.

The exercise was overseen by NRM electoral commission vice-chairperson, Fred Jachan Omach, alongside local district authorities.

"I am humbled by the trust the people of Tingey have shown me once again," said Twalla after being declared winner. "This is not about me — it's about continuity, stability, and service delivery."

Twalla's re-election was powered by overwhelming support from Kawowo, Kapsinda, Kaptanya, Gamogo, and Kaserem, giving him a significant edge over Obama, who dominated Sipi sub-county, Chema, and Sipi Town Council.

Unlike Twalla, several other incumbents were ousted, including Kapchorwa Woman MP Phyllis Chemutai and Patrick Kitiyo, whose Kapchorwa Municipality victory in the earlier vote was overturned.

Notably, water and environment minister Sam Cheptoris, the sitting MP for Kapchorwa Municipality, had recently announced his retirement from active politics.

Political observers described Twalla's victory as a significant political feat. Phiona Chemutai, also known as LP, told New Vision that the win marks "a rare political comeback" in a district where incumbents struggled to hold their ground.

Kapchorwa district chairperson Evelyn Kubarika Chebet also lost the flag to local radio presenter Vincent Chelimo.

Sebei at large saw several sitting MPs lose the flag, including Bukwo’s Evelyn Chemutai, T’oo County’s Solomon Malinga and Kween Woman MP, Emma Rose Cherukut.

Kween LC5 chairperson Geoffrey Chelogoi also failed to retain the ruling party’s flag.

'Deserves another term'

Supporters lauded Twalla's performance during his first term, particularly citing his lobbying efforts for improved infrastructure and service delivery.

"His lobbying skills are unmatched — he has connected most of our villages to clean water for domestic and agricultural use," said Tom Chemusto, a supporter from Chema.

"Twalla lobbied for the construction of the Kaserem weekly market and achieved so much in just one term. We believe he deserves another chance."

Throughout polling day (Thursday) and into the night, security was visibly tight, with security personnel deployed across polling stations and tally centres to ensure order.

Now that the party flag is secured, Twalla and his team's focus shifts to the big one: 2026 general election.