Voters in four electoral areas — one parliamentary seat and three ward seats — will on Thursday cast their ballots in by-elections that the electoral commission says it is fully prepared to conduct.
Campaigns for the Isiolo South parliamentary seat and the West Kabras ward (Kakamega County), as well as Evurore and Muminji wards (Embu County), officially closed on Monday.
The ward seats fell vacant after Duncan Mbui (Evurore) and Newton Kariuki (Muminji) resigned last year to vie for the Mbeere North parliamentary seat. They lost to UDA candidate Leonard Wa Muthende Njeru.
The Isiolo South seat fell vacant following the death of MP Mohamed Bidu, while the West Kabras ward seat became vacant after David Ndakwa was elected Malava MP.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) said it has completed procurement of election materials and serviced, tested and configured the Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS) kits ahead of deployment.
“Packaging and dispatch of all strategic and non-strategic election materials, including ballot papers, to the respective electoral areas has been completed. Training of election officials, with emphasis on professionalism, customer service, integrity and proper polling procedures, has also been achieved,” the commission said.
The IEBC announced that polling stations will open at 6 am and close at 5 pm.
“In cases where opening is delayed due to unforeseen circumstances, the lost time will be compensated. All voters in the queue by 5pm will be allowed to cast their ballots. The Commission encourages voters to follow instructions issued by polling officials to facilitate an orderly voting process,” it added.
However, violence has already been reported in Embu County.
In Muminji ward, a supporter of the Devolution Empowerment Party (DEP), Benard Kithaka, 24, was stabbed to death during a campaign rally on February 18. Police say investigations into the killing are ongoing.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki urged voters in Isiolo and Mbeere North to maintain peace as they head to the polls.
Prof Kindiki expressed confidence that UDA would win all the contested seats.
“We are undefeatable. Our rivals should brace themselves for a tough political duel,” he said.
He added that in Mbeere North, UDA had mounted a strong campaign led by Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire.
“We are strong enough and we shall win the by-elections,” he said.
Mbeere North Constituency Returning Officer Maingi Mwangi confirmed that voting materials had already been delivered.
“We have ballot boxes, ballot papers and other materials for the polls in 93 polling stations across the two wards,” he said, referring to Muminji and Evurore wards.
In Muminji ward, Peterson Njeru (UDA) faces Boniface Kariuki (DEP).
In Evurore, Duncan Muratia (UDA) is contesting against Albert Kigoro (DP) and Kennedy Njeru of the United Green Movement Party.
In Isiolo South, top politicians and government allies conducted separate door-to-door campaigns as the race entered its final stretch.
Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo, Senator Fatuma Dullo, Woman Representative Mumina Bonaya and Speaker Abdullahi Banticha, among others, rallied support for UDA candidate Mohamed Tubi. They met clan elders and community leaders in a bid to consolidate support ahead of polling day.
Although Senator Dullo and Governor Guyo have previously differed politically, they have backed the same candidate — albeit while campaigning separately.
On Monday, Senator Dullo, while campaigning in Kinna, claimed there had been an attempt on her life after unknown gunmen on a motorcycle allegedly fired shots into the air.
“Despite attempts to intimidate and disrupt our gathering, the spirit of Kinna remained unshaken. We thank the residents for their courage, resilience and unwavering support for our UDA candidate, Mohamed Tubi,” she said.
Mr Tubi faces his elder sister, Bina Mohamed of the Jubilee Party, who has also been conducting door-to-door campaigns across the expansive constituency.
Isaack Fayo of the National Economic Development Party (NEDP) has since withdrawn from the race in support of Mr Tubi. The move was reportedly brokered by Senator Dullo, who facilitated a meeting between Mr Fayo and President William Ruto, culminating in an agreement.
Isiolo South Returning Officer Abdi Sheikh urged candidates, political parties and voters to remain peaceful and adhere strictly to the electoral code of conduct.
Three candidates are vying for the Isiolo South parliamentary seat, seeking the support of 22,216 registered voters across 61 polling stations.
In West Kabras Ward, nearly all the major political formations, alongside emerging outfits, have thrown their hats into the ring, each intent on gauging its resonance with the electorate.
Elphas Kainanga Shalakha is contesting on the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket, while Edward Inzofu Indimuli initially entered the race under the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) banner.
Nivah Musa Khisa is running on a Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) ticket. Also in the contest are George Musini Michiana of the National Economic Development Party and Shivoko Masini of the Democratic National Alliance Party.
Deeper undercurrents, pre-coalition arrangements, the subtle weight of state machinery and the enduring pull of clan politics have shaped the contest.
Unlike the more turbulent November by-elections, the campaigns in West Kabras have been comparatively subdued. Candidates have largely abandoned fiery rallies for the intimacy of door-to-door engagements, seeking to win hearts in quiet conversations rather than public spectacle.
President William Ruto’s aide, Farouk Kibet, has emerged as a central figure in the unfolding drama. Frequently seen alongside Malava Member of Parliament (MP) Mr Ndakwa, he has been actively campaigning for the UDA candidate, Mr Shalakha. Political observers suggest Mr Kibet is keen to demonstrate that his influence on the ground extends beyond Mr Ndakwa’s parliamentary triumph last year.
Indeed, Mr Kibet is said to have played a pivotal role in persuading the ODM candidate to withdraw from the race and back Mr Shalakha in the spirit of the ‘Broad-based’ arrangement.
Leonard Kasaya, ODM’s chairperson for Malava Constituency, together with Mr Shalakha, has underscored the importance of unity between the two parties in the by-election.
“Let us see each other as brothers and as the people of West Kabras. That is why we agreed to work together in this by-election,” said Mr Shalakha.
However, the withdrawal of Mr Indimuli was anything but tranquil. Announcing his decision a day ago, he claimed frustration at the hands of his party’s county leadership, alleging harassment that endangered both his life and that of his family and disrupted his campaign.
Clan dynamics are also expected to weigh heavily on the outcome. Parts of the ward, extending towards neighbouring Navakholo constituency, whose MP is Emmanuel Wangwe, are predominantly inhabited by members of the Abanyala clan. The clan is widely perceived to be backing the UDA candidate. Should they turn out in significant numbers, Mr Shalakha’s fortunes could receive a decisive boost.
West Kabras Ward, situated within Malava Constituency in Kakamega County, has 11,699 registered voters, according to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission. The ward spans approximately 46.7 square kilometres and is home to an estimated population of 26,114, as captured in the Kakamega County Integrated Development Plan 2018–2022.
Reporting by Gitonga Marete, George Munene, Rushdie Oudia and David Muchui.
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