Alfred Keter, the former Nandi Hills MP, received a rousing, hero's welcome from mourners at the funeral service for the late Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng'eno in Emurua Dikirr (recently held amid the helicopter crash that killed Ng'eno and others).
Videos and reports show crowds erupting in cheers, chants like "Wantam", linked to his WANTAM movement, and loud applause as he arrived and spoke.
He delivered an emotional tribute and condolences, briefly pausing the proceedings due to the enthusiastic response.
This moment stood out because prominent UDA figures like Oscar Sudi and others aligned with President William Ruto and Kenya Kwanza administration were reportedly present and watching.
Some accounts describe them appearing sidelined, "in disbelief," or "kicked out" of the spotlight, as the crowd's energy favored Keter—especially after he reportedly criticized the Ruto led government harshly in his speech including references to performance, one-term implications, or even conspiracy angles around Ng'eno's death.
The contrast highlights underlying tensions in Rift Valley politics:
Keter has a history of friction with Ruto/UDA. In 2022, he won the UDA nominations for Nandi Hills but had the ticket nullified and given to another candidate (Bernard Kitur), which he and supporters attribute to disloyalty perceptions.
He has since positioned himself as an outspoken critic, leading the WANTAM movement, and remains popular among some grassroots Kalenjin/ Rift Valley audiences who see him as fearless.
This reception at Ng'eno's send-off (a high-profile event drawing political heavyweights) clearly irked UDA insiders/mandarins, as it underscored shifting loyalties and public discontent in the region amid ongoing questions about governance and the MP's tragic death.
Overall, it's a sign of grassroots support for Keter despite his fallout with the ruling UDA establishment—fueling speculation about 2027 dynamics in the region.
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