By John Mutiso
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Erastus Ethekon has issued a firm condemnation of reported violence during by-elections, describing the incidents as confined to isolated areas.
In an official X post he emphasised, “I strongly condemn all acts of violence, intimidation, or disruption reported in isolated areas during the voting process. Elections are a democratic exercise, and no individual or group has the right to compromise the peace, safety, or integrity of the process.”
Scattered incidents included clashes in Kasipul, where Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma sustained injuries while observing voting, alongside his bodyguard, who reported a missing firearm.
In Malava, DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa’s vehicle was torched, while candidate Seth Panyako fled threats from alleged UDA-linked groups.
Kabuchai’s Chwele Ward saw agents ejected during confrontations, and in Mbeere North, Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi expelled a UDA agent in campaign attire, declaring, “Election Day is not a campaign stage, and polling stations are not theatres for party branding.”
Earlier violence had claimed two lives, prompting IEBC fines of Ksh 1 million each against Kasipul candidates Boyd Were and Philip Aroko.
Ethekon pledged robust collaboration with law enforcement, stating, “We are working closely with security agencies to ensure swift action against any perpetrators and to restore calm where disturbances have occurred. I urge all candidates, supporters, and political actors to uphold the principles of peaceful participation and respect for the rule of law.”
Ethekon has urged the public to rely only on official communications from the Commission and to avoid sharing unverified information that could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
This aligned with a separate IEBC X post urging nationwide restraint: “Election Update On Security & Peace. We urge all citizens and leaders to uphold peace throughout voting, counting, results announcement, and the post-election period. Violence and intimidation have no place in our democracy. We call on security agencies to act firmly where breaches occur. Let’s protect the integrity of the vote.”
The post stressed, “Every voter must be able to exercise their rights freely, and protecting the integrity of the vote is a shared responsibility that ensures trust in our electoral process and strengthens Kenya’s democracy.”
The IEBC dismissed widespread ballot stuffing claims as fabrications aimed at eroding public confidence.
“Ballot-Stuffing Claims: Circulating allegations of ballot stuffing are misleading and inaccurate. We urge the public to rely on verified information from the Commission and reject falsehoods meant to undermine the electoral process,” the commission stated.
This countered accusations by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and echoed concerns from Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka. IEBC officials highlighted safeguards, stating, “Our ballot management procedures make such claims practically impossible.
Voting is conducted in the full presence of agents, observers & the media. Each ballot paper contains multiple security features that cannot be reproduced.”
Media monitors praised journalists for ethical reporting despite security concerns, while Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna described the day as “one of the bloodiest election days in recent history,” underscoring the ongoing challenges to electoral security.
