By Vicent Emong
The political atmosphere in Kumi remains tense following the controversial outcome of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries for the district chairperson seat, commonly referred to as the LC5 position.
Stephen Opolot, one of the leading contenders in the race, has publicly rejected the results, accusing his rival Nelson Elungat Lakol of electoral malpractice and vote rigging.
In a press conference held at North Villa Guest House in Kumi Municipality on July 25, 2025, a visibly disappointed Opolot declared that his victory had been “robbed in broad daylight,” citing numerous irregularities, especially in Ongino Sub County, the home area of the declared winner.
According to official results released by the NRM district registrar, Nelson Elungat won with 48,581 votes, followed by Stephen Opolot with 38,433 votes, while David Tukei managed 6,533 votes.
Addressing journalists, Opolot expressed disbelief at the final results.
“The elections began smoothly in most of the sub-counties. After tallying votes from areas like Kanyum County, Kumi Municipality, and parts of Kumi County, I was leading convincingly. I had won in 14 sub-counties and divisions, leaving my opponent with only 4 Sub counties,” he said.
However, Opolot claimed everything changed once results from Ongino Sub County were introduced at the tally center.
“I was shocked beyond words. The figures presented from Ongino were extremely inflated and unrealistic, especially given the generally low voter turnout across the district,” he stated.
Opolot questioned how certain polling stations could register 100% voter turnout, which he described as statistically improbable.
“In one of the polling stations in Kanapa Sub County, where there are only 500 registered voters, the results showed 492 people voted. That’s over 98% turnout. We all know that some voters are deceased, others were at school or in their gardens. It’s unrealistic,” Opolot said.
He specifically pointed out Ongino, Elungat’s home turf, as a hotbed of vote manipulation.
“While other areas had poor turnout, Ongino reportedly had full voter participation. That alone raises a red flag,” he added.
In a press statement released to the media, Opolot detailed several electoral anomalies that he says rendered the results null and void.
These include: Expulsion of his polling agents from stations in Ongino Sub County, Declaration forms filled without any voting taking place in Kanapa, Tisai, and Ongino Town Council, and Use of intimidation and violence to suppress genuine voter expression
“There was no genuine voting in some areas, yet fabricated results were brought forward and counted. This is not only illegal but deeply shameful,” Opolot emphasized.
He accused certain party elements of trying to hijack the democratic process in favor of candidates with connections rather than credibility.
“This represents a betrayal of the trust our citizens place in the NRM. It distorts the party’s founding ideals of justice, discipline, and people-centered governance,” Opolot lamented.
Despite the setback, Opolot vowed not to back down.
He announced plans to explore all legal and party channels to seek redress.
“I assure my supporters that this is not the end. I will pursue every available avenue to demand justice. We must protect the integrity of the NRM from being compromised by individuals driven solely by personal ambition,” he said.
Opolot also extended heartfelt thanks to his supporters across the district for their vigilance, courage, and dedication during the primaries.
“Your trust and belief in my leadership is what keeps me going. I will not let you down,” he promised.
Even as Opolot considers his next steps, several of his supporters are already urging him to contest in the 2026 general elections as an independent candidate.
“We believe in Opolot’s leadership. If the party has failed him, we the people have not. We are ready to support him all the way if he chooses to go independent,” said one Orion a voter from Kadami Sub County.
Opolot confirmed that consultations are ongoing.
“I am meeting with stakeholders, elders, and opinion leaders across the district. After gathering enough feedback, I will announce my next political move on this platform,” he said.
In response to the growing discontent, Charles Vincent Okiiso, the NRM Publicity Secretary for Kumi district, confirmed that the party has received formal complaints from several candidates, including Opolot.
“Yes, we’ve received grievances from members who lost in the recent primaries. As a district office, we have advised them to submit petitions to the NRM National Electoral Commission led by Dr. Tanga Odoi,” Okiiso stated.
He added that the district office would wait for the tribunal’s findings before taking further steps. “The tribunal will examine the facts and provide a verdict. Until then, we will support the declared flag bearers as the legitimate winners of the process,” he explained.
However, Okiiso acknowledged that the district NRM office cannot prevent any candidate from pursuing their own path after the tribunal process concludes.
“Every candidate had their own following. If someone chooses to make a personal decision after the tribunal outcome, we cannot stand in their way,” he said.
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In fact, I can say that the NRM primary elections have lost meaning, the registers have been turned to population census where everything is counted including animals, and this is what actually happened in ongino, if we continue seeing this with all top officials we have, then we are soon drawing to a deep pit.
No polling stations can register 100% voter turn up especially in this period where students are at school, people at work places some died and others ignored to vote.
As an itesot… We should learn to stand and support a leader and don’t see such a thing just happening.
OPOLOT STEVEN won by 67%, in real voting, emerekek by 30% and tukei by 3%
So what will you do about this??