Little hiccups as Mbeere, Isiolo and Kakamega hold by-elections

The by-elections have pit the Kenya Kwanza government against the United Opposition. /IEBC/X

Voting is proceeding smoothly across four electoral areas where by-elections are being held this Thursday.

Voters braved the morning cold in Isiolo, Mbeere North and Kakamega county to elect new parliamentary and ward representatives.

In Isiolo county, voters are electing a new Member of Parliament for Isiolo South constituency.

In Kakamega county, voters are choosing a new ward representative for West Kabras.

In Embu county’s Mbeere North constituency, voters are electing ward representatives for Muminji and Evurore wards.

The by-elections have pitted the Kenya Kwanza government against the United Opposition, with the contests serving as a litmus test ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The elections are the second political acid test for President William Ruto, following the November 27 by-elections which he and his broad-based allies easily beat the united opposition. 

The Muminji Ward by-election was called following the vacancy of the MCA seat after Newton Karish resigned to contest the Mbeere North parliamentary seat.

Seven candidates are contesting the Muminji Ward seat: Boniface Kariuki (Devolution Empowerment Party), John Nyaga (United Progressive Alliance), Cosmas Njeru (National Economic Development Party), Joseph Ngari (Umoja na Maendeleo Party), Peterson Njeru (United Democratic Alliance), Charles Kiura (The We Alliance Party) and Zachary Mbogo (Kenya Moja Movement Party).

There were reports of youths blocking vehicles from entering Kanyuambora Low Cost Primary School in Evurore.

The IEBC said authorised persons at the polling station include voters, polling clerks, presiding officers, security personnel, accredited observers, accredited media, political party or independent candidate agents and IEBC staff only.

The commission said each participating political party or candidate is entitled to one agent per polling station, and only one chief agent per candidate is allowed at a tallying centre.

"There is no provision in law for ''super agents' or any unauthorised persons to operate within polling or tallying centres," it said.

The Evurore Ward seat fell vacant after Duncan Mbui resigned to contest the Mbeere North parliamentary seat, and has attracted 10 aspirants.

They are Kabuthi Catherine Mururi (United Progressive Alliance), Albert Muchira (Democratic Party), Johnson Mukui (Independent), Martin Mukundi (National Economic Development Party), Joseph Nyaga (People’s Liberation Party), Kennedy Nthiga (United Green Movement), Eston Fundi (Umoja na Maendeleo Party), Virginia Thaara (Kenya Moja Movement Party), Duncan Muratia (United Democratic Alliance) and Nyaga Kenneth Njeru (Chama Cha Kazi).The IEBC said there is no provision in law for “super agents” or any unauthorised persons to operate within polling or tallying cente

In Kakamega, voters braved chilly weather and turned out in large numbers, with long queues forming at many polling stations, including Mutsuma Primary School and Imboakalo Comprehensive School in West Kabras.

The West Kabras seat fell vacant after former occupant David Ndakwa resigned to run for the Malava parliamentary seat, which had fallen vacant following the death of Malulu Injendi.

Six candidates were cleared to run in the election, where 11,699 registered voters are expected to participate.

They are Elphas Shalakha (UDA), Edward Indimuli (ODM), Nivah Khisa (DAP-K), George Michiana (Economic Development Party), Shivoko Masini (Democratic National Alliance Party) and Bramwel Wasike (Democracy for the Citizens Party).

In Isiolo, 22,216 registered voters are expected to take part in the by-election to elect a new MP after the seat fell vacant following the death of Mohamed Tupi Bidu on November 12, 2025, while receiving treatment at The Nairobi Hospital.

The position attracted three candidates: Isack Abduba (National Economic Development Party), Tubi Mohamed (United Democratic Alliance) and Tupi Bina Mohamed (Jubilee Party).

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) said voting opened at 6 am and will close at 5 pm.

The poll agency urged voters to turn out in large numbers and exercise their democratic right to elect their preferred representatives.

“Any lost time at opening will be recovered at closing, and voters in the queue by 5 pm will be allowed to vote,” the commission said.

In Embu, Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi voted at Kanyuambora Low Cost Boarding Primary School in Evurore Ward.

The former Public Service Cabinet Secretary dismissed claims that the United Opposition is plotting to attack Embu County Assembly Speaker Josiah Thiriku during the Evurore by-election.

The IEBC said all eligible voters in the respective by-election areas will be identified using the Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS) kits.

The certified register of voters has been displayed at each polling station for public verification.

However, some elderly voters participating in the West Kabras by-election at Mutsuma Primary polling station could not be identified electronically after the kits failed to detect their fingerprints.