The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has issued a statement outlining the outcome of the November by-election and the challenges they faced.
At a high-level stakeholder engagement forum held in Nairobi on Monday to review the election and IEBC's preparedness ahead of the 2027 General Election, the electoral body revealed that some key political figures had attempted to interfere with the will of the people.
According to IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon, cases of voter apathy, bribery, disruption to the voting process at some polling stations and the use of goons to intimidate voters and IEBC officials were reported during the election.
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission chairperson Dr Erastus Edung Ethekon in Kisumu on November 26, 2025.
The chairperson reiterated that the turnout during the key-making process is facing a big challenge that needs to be addressed by all the stakeholders.
“We need to ask ourselves as Kenyans, is IEBC the problem or is there a problem somewhere else? The problem with this entry (voter apathy) is that everything is about IEBC. Even where political parties and their candidates scare voters, then they blame IEBC,” Mr Ethekon said.
He said that the decreasing number of people voting in elections is a cause for concern, as it could affect the state of democracy in the country.
“It did not start with this by-election. In 2017, the voter turnout was 78.9 percent. In 2022, the figures came down to 64.4 percent. There is a problem in this country with voter apathy.”
Accordingly, the chairperson noted the absence of young people in the elections, questioning how the electoral body would accommodate them in future.
Mr Ethekon highlighted that the commission reported cases of politicians attempting to infiltrate the democratic process of Kenyans.
“There was an attempt by political actors to influence election officials. We said that we will serve this county without fear, and without favoritism. We witnessed this attempt by political actors to try and infiltrate and to influence our election officials.”
Bribery and chaos
In his message to politicians, the Chairperson said that attempting to bribe or harass election officials during the voting process is unacceptable.
“If you did your campaigns well and chase thumping that you are very popular, why do you want to harass our Presiding Officers and Returning Officers? You want to secure an illegitimate victory, and the manner in which you secure an illegitimate victory is questionable.”
He said that it is high time that the political actors in the country learn to accept the outcome during the election process, and avoid the desperation of forcing to acquire the outcome which is in their favour.
Mr Ethekon said that IEBC officials were assaulted in some of the polling stations as well as the cases of vandalisms and disruptions of voting materials.
“We condemn these incidences of assault and vandalism, not only against our officers but also against the general public. Six polling stations were affected by these incidences of assault and vandalism,” Mr Ethekon said.
According to Mr Ethekon, the voting process was interrupted in some of the areas, where the goons were mobilised to cause commotions and create chaotic scenes.
He also expressed his disappointment in the contact of some of the politicians who showed up at the tallying centers, claiming to be the super-agent of the certain candidate.
MP Peter Kaluma speaks to journalists moments after he was attacked by goons at Agoro Sare polling centre in Kasipul.
“When these people show up in a small polling station, they overrun the polling station because they will come in accompanied by the so-called supporters. We saw that had a very disruptive impact in the manner in which the polling was progressing.”
IEBC Chief Executive Officer Marjan Hussein Marjan said that the by-election presented a unique circumstances, and offered a comprehensive picture of IEBC operational preparedness, technological deployment and stakeholders engagement strategies.
“Despite the success, this election also highlighted various requirements and continued attention. Voter apathy, logistical challenges, misinformation and isolated security incidences reminds us that the electoral management is a continuous learning process,” Mr Marjan said.
The commission said that it received nine complaints regarding the candidates who were cleared to run for several seats, out of which six were solved and three were escalated to the courts.
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