By Hassan Wekesa - Editor
Kenya, 27 November 2025 - Voters across Kenya went to the polls on Thursday in more than 20 by-elections to choose new MPs and ward representatives.
While many areas remained calm, several constituencies saw ugly incidents, fights, and claims of voter intimidation.
In Mbeere North Constituency in Embu County, former Attorney General and Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi caused a stir at a polling station in Siakago.
Mr Muturi, who is the leader of the Democratic Party (DP), chased away a man he accused of being an agent for United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Leonard Wamuthende.
Muturi said the man, Thuku Kiruga, was wearing full UDA colours, which is against the law for polling agents.
Later at Siakago Social Hall polling station, a supporter tried to attack Mr Muturi.
According to Vocal Africa’s Hussein Khalid, the man attempted to assault the former AG before running away.
Security officers could not catch him.
Mr Muturi is supporting DP candidate Newton Kariuki Ndwiga, known as “Karish”, in the race.
In Malava Constituency in Kakamega County, drama erupted when a man was caught and stripped naked by angry residents. A video shared by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale shows the man admitting he was brought from Lucky Summer estate in Nairobi to cause trouble and scare away supporters of DAP-Kenya candidate Seth Panyako.
Mr Panyako’s main rival is UDA candidate David Ndakwa. After voting, Mr Ndakwa told journalists: “I stay humble despite provocations. I am confident I will emerge victorious.”
Panyako, who early in the day was seen wailing and complaining of alleged trail, was arrested mid-day, his political party confirmed.
"Our Candidate Seth Panyako has been arrested and is currently being held at Malava Police Station. This even after goons under police supervision terrorised him the whole night, injured our agents, destroyed property and now they want to intimidate him. We will not allow!" DAP-K party posted in social media.
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DAP-K party also added that Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has been arrested and his whereabouts remain unknown.
In Kasipul Constituency in Homa Bay County, MP Peter Kaluma, who is the main agent of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) candidate Boyd Were, was injured during a scuffle at a polling station.
As chief agent, he said he was attacked while moving between polling stations to monitor the voting process.
He sustained a soft-tissue injury to the head and was treated shortly afterwards.
Were is the son of slain MP Charles Ong'ondo Were. His main opponent according to political pundits, is Independent candidate Philip Aroko.
Polls opened at 6am and voting will end at 5pm in all polling stations across the country.
Siaya Governor James Orengo has criticised brutality and backwardness witnessed in the by-elections, stating that the country cannot claim to be moving towards first-world status when, more than 14 years after the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution, peaceful and fair elections remain elusive.
Governor Orengo described the heavy deployment of security forces and the use of hired thugs as “an evil worse than the discredited mlolongo queuing system” of the past.
The governor further warned that intolerance and despotic tendencies are increasingly taking root across the East African region.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has urged calm and promised to deliver credible elections.
IEBC Chair Ethekon Edung and other commissioners admitted that they are under pressure from political actors, but promised Kenyans that they will deliver a credible election.
Many Kenyans hope the final outcome will be peaceful despite the day’s tensions.
The election is seen as litmus test to IEBC as 2027 General Election draws near.
