Campaigns close ahead of Thursday's high-stakes by-elections
UDA’s Mbeere North by-election candidate Leo Muthende addresses a final campaign rally at Gitiburi Village in Embu County on November 24, 2024, ahead of Thursday’s poll. He was accompanied by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and other leaders allied to President William Ruto.
Campaigns for Thursday's by-elections—marked by widespread political tensions, violence and a fierce national political struggle—officially concluded on Monday, 48 hours before polling stations open.
A total of 181 candidates will face off in 24 electoral areas left vacant due to deaths, Cabinet appointments or court nullifications of the 2022 election results.
According to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Kariobangi North Ward in Nairobi and Chewani Ward in Tana River County have attracted the highest number of aspirants, with 16 candidates each.
Magarini, Ugunja and Kasipul constituencies have each drawn 10 candidates, while Mbeere North and Malava constituencies have nine hopefuls seeking to join the National Assembly. In Baringo, six aspirants are vying for the senatorial seat.
The IEBC on Monday assured Kenyans of heightened security across all hotly contested areas as the country heads into the mini-polls.
Speaking during an election preparedness tour in Hola, Tana River County, IEBC Commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana said security agencies have already mapped potential flashpoints where political temperatures have escalated.
He noted that several contests are showing signs of intense competition, prompting increased vigilance.
Dr Mukhwana said the government will deploy both plain-clothed and uniformed police officers in identified hotspots to deter violence, protect voters and safeguard the integrity of the election.
“We are engaging all available security apparatus, including plain-clothed officers, to monitor areas where the contest is highly competitive. Our responsibility is to ensure no Kenyan is harmed in the process of choosing their leaders,” he said.
He urged politicians to ensure their supporters respect electoral rules and maintain peace.
IEBC Commissioner, Dr Moses Alutalala Mukhwana takes his oath when he appeared before the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee.
“There is no place for chaos before, during or after voting. Leaders must understand that their conduct directly influences the behavior of their followers,” he added.
Dr Mukhwana said the success of Thursday’s by-elections will signal Kenya’s readiness for the 2027 General Election, adding that the IEBC is committed to delivering a peaceful and transparent exercise.
How the seats fell vacant
Ugunja seat fell vacant after Opiyo Wandayi’s appointment to Cabinet on August 8, 2024.
Malava seat became vacant following the death of MP Malulu Injendi on February 17, 2025.
Mbeere North fell vacant after Geoffrey Ruku’s appointment to Cabinet on April 17, 2025.
Banissa became vacant following the death of MP Hassan Kullow in a road accident on March 29, 2023.
Magarini was declared vacant after the Supreme Court upheld the nullification of Harrison Kombe’s election on May 31, 2024.
Mbeere North has turned into a supremacy battleground between Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and former DP Rigathi Gachagua, prompting security agencies to tighten operations following claims of an alleged plot to disrupt voting.
Embu Senator Alexander Mundigi alleged that the opposition planned to cause violence after “sensing defeat.” At the same time, President Ruto’s UDA party demanded that Mr Gachagua, now the Democracy for Citizens Party leader, be barred from the constituency.
DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua drums up support for Mbeere North parliamentary candidate Newton Kariuki during a campaign rally at Kanyuambora Trading Centre on November 16, 2025.
UDA National Chairperson and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire accused Mr Gachagua of ferrying “goons” from Kirinyaga and Nairobi’s Kayole to spark chaos. Mr Gachagua warned that any attempts to rig the by-election will be met with strong resistance.
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku also alleged that the opposition had hired youths from Githurai and other Nairobi estates to disrupt voting and blame residents.
Both camps continue to trade accusations of rigging plots, raising tensions in the area.
However, Mbeere North Returning Officer John Kinyua assured voters that the IEBC will use the 2022 voters register, dismissing claims that the commission intended to use the 2017 register to lock out voters.
“We shall conduct a free, fair and transparent poll. There should be no cause for alarm,” he said at the IEBC offices in Siakago.
His remarks followed claims by former National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi that the IEBC planned to use the outdated register to disenfranchise voters.
UDA candidate in the Mbeere North by-election Leonard Muthende was a no show in the Sunday's public debate hosted by Inooro TV. The programme producers said they had invited him.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Mbeere North UDA candidate Leo Wamuthende during the Riandu People's Forum in Nthawa Ward, Mbeere North Constituency, Embu County, on November 19, 2025.
Mr Muthende did not respond to our calls and messages on why he missed out on an opportunity to address the Mt Kenya nation on the by-election being followed closely in the region.
Other candidates in the race are Albert Murimi (National Vision Party), Daniel Ireri (Kenya Moja Movement), Duncan Mbui (Chama Cha Kazi), Lawrence Ireri (Safina party), Leonard Muthende (UDA), Newton Kariuki (DP), Reuben Kamathai (Alliance Party for Real Change), Rev Isaac Muringi (United Progressive Party) and Simon Waiharo (Umoja na Maendeleo).
In Kasipul, the race has narrowed to a two-horse contest between ODM’s Boyd Were and independent candidate Philip Aroko.
ODM National Chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga led the party’s final campaign push in Oyugis on Monday.
“Time is now, Kasipul. Turn up to vote for Boyd Were,” she urged supporters.
The contest has taken a new twist after Governor Wanga’s deputy, Oyugi Magwanga, broke ranks with ODM and endorsed Mr Aroko, posing a significant challenge to the party’s long-standing dominance.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga (background, left) and her deputy, Oyugi Magwanga (background, right). Foreground: Kasipul by-election candidates Boyd Were (left) and Philip Aroko.
Other contenders are Jeazmin Aoko (independent), Rateng Otiende of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), Collins Omondi of the Movement for Democracy and Growth (MDG), Jesse Okello of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), Robert Ouko (Labour Party of Kenya (LPK) and Isaac Kiche of Kenya Moja.
In Mumbuni North Ward, Machakos County, the contest has also morphed into a two-horse race between Harrison Wambua (Maendeleo Chap Chap) and Antony Kisoi (Wiper).
Although UDA’s Misi Mutua and others mounted energetic campaigns, the race has largely been framed as a proxy battle between Maendeleo Chap Chap leader Alfred Mutua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti, who led Wiper’s campaign, urged residents to vote for Mr Kisoi to bolster Mr Musyoka’s national political standing ahead of 2027.
“Mount Kenya and the Lake Region are closely watching this by-election. Let us uphold the honor of the Kamba community by voting for Antony Kisoi,” she said at Sweet Waters Township.
Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, leading Mr Wambua’s team, dismissed claims that the contest is a rehearsal for the 2027 presidential race.
“We are electing a ward representative, not a president. Mumbuni North deserves representation,” he said.
Mr Mutua’s team, including MPs Caleb Mule and Mwengi Mutuse, argues that Maendeleo Chap Chap should retain the seat since the late MCA Gideon Kavuu was elected on the party’s ticket.
The contest has also reignited rivalry between Machakos Town MP Caleb Mule and his predecessor Victor Munyaka, now aligned with Kalonzo Musyoka.
United opposition leaders described the November 27, 2025 mini-poll as a litmus test for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission regarding its integrity and effectiveness.
The leaders, led by People's Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, Jubilee Deputy Party leader Dr Fred Matiang'i, politician Mukhisa Kituyi and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, stated that any errors in the mini-polls will be a reason to send the team home before the 2027 General Election.
Speaking at Ekerenyo in Nyamira County on Sunday, the leaders drummed up support for their preferred candidates in the Nyamaiya, Ekerenyo and Nyansiongo wards by-elections.
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Reporting by Stephen Oduor, Mwangi Muiruri, George Munene, George Odiwuor and Pius Maundu
