By Hassan Wekesa - Editor
Kenya, 28 November 2025 - Opposition leaders have seized on Thursday’s violence-marred by-elections to warn that, unless armed thugs are prevented from infiltrating the electoral process – often with police inaction or connivance – Kenya’s 2027 General Election risks becoming catastrophic.
In Malava Constituency, United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate David Ndakwa was declared the winner on Friday morning, polling 21,564 votes against 20,210 for Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) rival Seth Panyako.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission recorded a low 46% turnout, with just 43,675 of the 94,417 registered voters casting ballots.
The seat fell vacant after the death of former MP Moses Malulu Injendi in February.
Yet the result has been overshadowed by reports of killings, clashes, armed gangs roaming freely, voter bribery and intimidation across Malava and other constituencies, including Kasipul and Kabuchai.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale of UDA, who went against the party's political stance and supported Mr Panyako, said there is nothing to celebrate and urged for the country to learn and move away from politics of bloodshed.
“The killings, widespread violence, roaming armed goons escorted by police, intimidation and voter bribery that reigned in Malava Constituency erased any claim to a democratic election. There was no election,” Dr Khalwale posted on X.
He warned that the growing “connivance between goons and the police” is a danger signal for 2027, adding that the people of Western Kenya are now “woke”.
Siaya Governor James Orengo of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), described the chaos as the “militarisation and goonification of elections”, worse than the disgraced mlolongo queue-voting system during the era of the late President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi.
He said Kenya cannot claim to be heading to “first-world” status while failing to hold peaceful polls, and cautioned that East Africa is sliding into intolerance.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna labelled the day “one of the bloodiest election days in recent history” and accused security forces of either incompetence or active involvement in the violence. He called on Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to take responsibility.
While Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi celebrated Ndakwa’s win as proof of support for the ruling party, opposition figures, led by Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) deputy leader Cleophas Malala, demanded for recounts in several polling stations in Malava over alleged irregularities.
With less than two years to the next general election, leaders on both sides - United Opposition and broad-based government - agree that the infiltration of armed thugs into Kenya’s voting process must stop, or 2027 will be far worse.
Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma was violently attacked by armed goons on Thursday while monitoring the Kasipul Constituency by-election as chief agent for ODM candidate Boyd Were.
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Kaluma was injured in the assault, which took place as he observed the voting process.
Were was later declared the winner by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), polling 16,819 votes against 8,476 for his closest rival, Philip Aroko (Independent).
"The Kasipul Constituency By-Election Returning Officer Rebecca Abwaku declared Boyd Ongondo Were of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party the duly elected Member of National Assembly (MNA) for Kasipul Constituency after garnering 16,819 votes. Philip Nashon Aroko, an Independent candidate, finished second after securing 8,476 votes," IEBC said, adding that a total of 10 candidates had been cleared to contest in the Kasipul MP race.
Saboti MP Caleb Amisi of ODM urged calm after the polls, saying those elected should now be allowed to serve without hindrance.
He called for a “renaissance” in Kenyan politics and advised defeated candidates to think carefully before rushing to court.
Amisi warned against lawyers who “never set foot on the ground to campaign but are quick to tell politicians to file petitions”.
His remarks appeared aimed at advocate Ndegwa Njiru, who suggested the victory of Mbeere North MP-elect Leonard Wamuthende (UDA) could be challenged over an alleged discrepancy in the candidate’s name between the IEBC’s KIEMS kit and his publicly known name.
Wamuthende garnered 15,802 votes, narrowly edging out his closest challenger, Newton Kariuki alias Karish of the Democratic Party (DP), who secured 15,308 votes.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said his DCP performed strongly in the by-elections, describing the results as a positive sign for opposition efforts to remove President William Ruto in 2027.
The IEBC conducted by-elections in 22 areas on Thursday, filling 15 parliamentary seats, one Senate position, and six ward representative (MCA) posts.
IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon strongly condemned all acts of violence, intimidation, and disruption reported in some areas.
“Elections are a democratic exercise, and no individual or group has the right to compromise the peace, safety, or integrity of the process,” he said.
On Friday, Ethekon announced that full results for all by-elections are available to the public on the Commission’s portal: https://forms.iebc.or.ke.
