Chaos and Tension as Kenyans Head to the By-election Polls

chaos as by elections occur –

On Thursday, 27 November 2025, Kenya is holding a nationwide round of by-elections. According to Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), a total of 24 by-elections are being contested — covering one senatorial seat, six parliamentary seats, and seventeen county assembly ward seats. Voters began streaming in early, with polling stations opening at 6:00 am and scheduled to close at 5:00 pm (with allowances for those already queuing).

While many polling stations are seeing robust turnout, the political atmosphere is highly charged — and at several locations, that calm is under threat.

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Reports of Violence, Goons and Voter Intimidation

In multiple constituencies, reports indicate goons targeting voters, polling agents and even destroying property. In Mbeere North, allegations emerged that polling agents were attacked en route to centres, with claims posted by Moses Kuria on social media. In another flashpoint, in Malava — a hotly contested constituency — protesters said a four-wheel drive in a candidate’s convoy was torched by suspected goons in the Manyonje area.

Also, in Narok Town, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) claims that its candidate and agents were violently attacked by a mix of uniformed police and plain-clothes operatives. The party alleges this was a state-sponsored attempt at voter intimidation.

As tensions escalated, authorities mobilized security forces: the National Police Service (NPS) deployed hundreds of officers nationwide to guard polling and tallying centres, stressing that only the police — not civilians or “vote-protectors” — had the mandate to provide security.

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Accusations, Counterclaims and a Deepening Distrust

On the pre-election trail, political leaders traded grave accusations. The DCP and others warned of a plot involving hired goons, plain-clothed police deployment, and ballot-stuffing — especially in Mbeere North, Malava and other key constituencies.

On the government side, senior officials insisted that the state has deployed sufficient security, and threatened hard action against criminals, their sponsors, and the vehicles ferrying such persons.

Amid the chaos, some campaign events were disrupted, supporters injured, and property destroyed — illustrating how volatile these mini-polls have become.

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Why These By-Elections Matter — And the Risks

These by-elections are not trivial: they carry significant weight. Winning or losing here could reshape local power, influence national dynamics, and signal momentum ahead of the next general election. Observers warn that if integrity fails — through violence, voter intimidation or fraud — voters’ trust in democracy could be further eroded.

But the risks are real. Reports of attacks, goons, and alleged state-sponsored violence suggest electoral competition is not just about ideas — it’s also about force and fear.

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The Road Ahead — What Kenyans Should Watch

• Security & transparency: Will the police and IEBC effectively stop violent actors, ensure uniform-ed officers (not unmarked operatives), and allow peaceful voting?
• Credible results: With accusations of ballot-stuffing floated — especially in Mbeere North — the way results are collected, counted, and announced will be critical.
• Public reaction: If many voters feel intimidated or their votes don’t count, disillusionment could deepen — with long-term consequences for civic participation.

Kenya’s by-elections today thus stand at a crossroad: a chance to reinforce democratic accountability — or another turn toward fear-driven politics.