Kenya’s 2022 General Election: Razor-Thin Margins Define Fierce Gubernatorial Races
Kenya’s 2022 general election featured several hotly contested gubernatorial races, with some candidates winning by razor-thin margins that highlighted the intensity of local politics and shifting voter loyalties across counties.
In Tana River County, Dhadho Godhana of ODM narrowly retained his seat by securing 26,892 votes, edging out his main rival, Hussein Dado of UDA, who garnered 26,633 votes. The slim difference of just 259 votes made it the closest gubernatorial contest in the country, showcasing deep divisions and high voter engagement in the region.
In Embu County, Cecily Mbarire of UDA made history by becoming the county’s first female governor. She received 108,610 votes, defeating Lenny Kivuti, who got 105,246 votes. Mbarire’s win was sealed by a margin of 3,364 votes, reflecting a highly competitive and dynamic political environment.
In Kajiado County, incumbent Joseph Ole Lenku (ODM) faced stiff competition from Katoo Ole Metito of UDA. Lenku managed to retain his seat with 117,600 votes, while Metito followed closely with 111,725 votes. The 5,875-vote gap pointed to a deeply contested battle shaped by regional dynamics and party loyalty.
Narok County also witnessed a fierce contest, where Patrick Ole Ntutu of UDA won the seat with approximately 158,100 votes, defeating ODM’s Richard Moitalel Ole Kenta, who received around 148,270 votes. The margin of about 9,830 votes underscored UDA’s growing influence in the traditionally ODM-leaning Maasai region.
In West Pokot County, former governor Simon Kachapin made a political comeback on a UDA ticket, narrowly defeating the incumbent John Lonyangapuo of the Kenya Union Party. Kachapin garnered 86,476 votes, while Lonyangapuo got 84,610 votes—a difference of just 1,866 votes. The close finish confirmed the intense battle between emerging political forces and established incumbents.
These closely fought races reflect the changing face of Kenyan county politics, with new battlegrounds emerging at the grassroots level and voters increasingly willing to shift allegiances based on performance, party, and local issues.
