By John Mutiso
Drama ensued at Magarini polling station after Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga was confronted by angry locals who accused him of voter bribery, forcing him to leave the area.
In a video seen by Uzalendo News, a heated confrontation unfolded as residents surrounded the legislator, questioning his continued presence at the polling center after casting his vote.
“Get out of here. You have already voted what are you waiting for?” one person shouted at the MP.
A growing crowd escorted Chonga to his vehicle, hurling insults and expressing their frustration with his presence.
The situation quickly escalated as some residents began shoving, prompting what appeared to be the MP’s bodyguards to intervene and push back the agitated crowd while guiding him to safety.
“Don’t upset me. You are making me angry with this behavior. You need to stop,” the MP stated, attempting to calm the situation.
However, the crowd overwhelmed the security detail, forcing Chonga to quickly enter his vehicle and drive off from the polling station.
The incident occurred on Thursday, November 27, as by-elections took place across several constituencies in Kenya, including Magarini.
Meanwhile, Magarini ODM candidate Harrison Kombe raised concerns about the conduct of the election, claiming some of his agents were ejected from polling stations at Mjanaheri Primary School.
The Magarini drama was not an isolated incident, as Thursday’s by-elections were marred by violence and confrontations in multiple locations across the country.
In Kasipul, Homa Bay County, tensions flared at the Agoro Sare polling centre when Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma was attacked while accompanying ODM candidate Boyd Were.
The lawmaker sustained head injuries, with blood visible on his neck and chest as he was led away from the scene. Reports indicate that during the chaos, Kaluma’s bodyguard lost his firearm. The MP directly blamed Independent Candidate Philip Aroko’s supporters for the violence, accusing them of attempting to intimidate voters.
In Mbeere North, chaos erupted at the Siakago Social Hall after former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi clashed with UDA aspirant Leonard Wa Muthende’s agent, Thuku Kiruga.
The confrontation began when Muturi objected to Kiruga wearing a yellow jacket, arguing it represented the UDA party. Muturi and Democratic Party of Kenya (DP) supporters subsequently forced Kiruga out of the hall. During the incident, Muturi also confronted a local accompanying Wa Muthende’s agent.
In Malava constituency, DAP-K candidate Seth Panyako was arrested and held at Malava police station. The party condemned the arrest as an intimidation tactic, claiming that goons under police supervision had terrorized Panyako throughout the night, injured party agents, and destroyed property.
