📷 Tallying begins amid heavy security as NRM flag re-run closes in Kapchorwa

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Vote tallying has officially kicked off under heightened security at the Kapchorwa District Council Hall, marking the final phase of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) parliamentary flag bearer re-run held earlier today (Thursday, July 31) across the district.

The exercise is overseen by the NRM Electoral Commission Vice Chairperson, Hon. Fred Jachan Omach, who arrived at the tally centre to ensure a smooth, transparent, and credible process.

Omach, who deputises the outspoken Dr Tanga Odoi, greeted arriving candidates with warm handshakes—a symbolic gesture of unity and fair play.

Several prominent candidates had arrived at the tally centre by press time to witness the counting process firsthand. These included Kenneth Soyekwo Obama (Tingey County) and Nancy Chelangat (Tingey County). 

Musa Mashud Chemowo (Tingey County), Patrick Solimo Kitiyo (Kapchorwa Municipality) and Martin Chemonges China (Kapchorwa Municipality) were also at the tally centre in person. 

Others were Susan Chemutai (Kapchorwa Woman MP) and Jalia Seyokwo (Kapchorwa Woman MP).

Presiding over the exercise is Isaac Chepkurui, the newly appointed Kapchorwa NRM District Registrar, who replaced the embattled Akram Kamonges, currently on remand following allegations of election mismanagement during the previous vote.

Tallying began with results from the Kapchorwa Woman MP race. By the time of publishing, incumbent Phyllis Chemutai and her primary challenger Betty Cheptoek Kaali was locked in a neck-and-neck battle. Other candidates in the Woman MP category include Susan Chemutai, a former district councillor.

Juliet Baulah Cheboyeyin and Jalia Seiko Chikasire. 

In Kapchorwa Municipality, Patrick Kitiyo, a lawyer and former head of legal affairs at the Ministry of Water and Environment, was controversially declared the winner in the earlier annulled primaries. 

However, in early returns, he appeared to be trailing his rival, Martin Chemonges China, a former LC3 chairperson of Kapchorwa Town Council.

Other contenders in the municipality race include Alex Chelimo and Alfred Satya Muban.

In Tingey County, the race between incumbent Fadil Twalla and Kenneth Soyekwo Obama, a former Member of Parliament, remained too close to call. 

Both candidates posted substantial numbers in their respective ancestral strongholds, with Obama dominating in Sipi Town Council, while Twalla secured solid wins in Kawowo, Kapsinda, and Kaptanya.

Other candidates in the Tingey County race are Nancy Chelangat, the only female aspirant in the constituency who most recently worked at the State House. 

The other is Musa Mashud Chemowo, a respected youthful opinion leader. 

As of 8:00 p.m., hundreds of supporters had gathered outside the district headquarters' fenced premises, waiting anxiously for the final results. 

Armed with placards with inscriptions of their preferred candidates, candidates' supporters are singing songs of victory, depicting as they vibrantly brave to jubilate. 

The area remains heavily guarded by police and sister security agencies to prevent any post-election incidents.