ByElections2025: Car torched as fresh violence erupts in Malava

The car on fire in Malava

A four-wheel-drive car was set on fire in fresh violence that broke out in Manyonje, Malava, Kakamega County.

The car, a Toyota Prado in a candidate’s convoy, was torched by goons in the Manyonje area on Thursday morning.

Local officials said the act was meant to scare voters in an area seen as a stronghold of one candidate. Police said they are investigating the incident.

Earlier, at least two people were injured in a clash at a hotel in the area. This happened where DAP-K candidate Seth Panyako was meeting his team. Among those injured was his personal driver, he said.

He added that the attack was targeting him. His supporters also caught up with one of the people said to have attempted the attack and beat him up.

In Kabuchai, Bungoma County, some agents said they had been harassed and beaten up by goons as they headed to polling stations.

The agents said they were injured in the chaos. Police said voting had started well in most places. However, some candidates in the mini polls complained that police were taking sides and not helping them.

Hundreds of police officers had been mobilised and deployed to the affected areas ahead of the polls.

The polls are taking place in 134 polling stations countrywide, where vacancies have arisen following the death of office holders or court decisions nullifying previous results.

The seats up for contest span both parliamentary and ward-level representation, drawing nationwide attention as political parties seek to solidify influence and test voter sentiment ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Several constituencies have attracted keen interest, among them Mbeere North, Ugunja, Malava, Magarini, and Kasipul, where voters will elect new Members of Parliament.

In Baringo, the electorate will be seeking to vote in a new senator.

Political pundits say these contests could serve as an early indicator of party strength and shifting regional alliances ahead of 2027.

At the county assembly level, by-elections are set for multiple wards across the country. These include Chewani in Tana River, Narok Town in Narok, Tembelio in Uasin Gishu, and Lake Zone and Nana-am in Turkana. Residents of Kisia East, Kabuchai/Chwele, Purko, Ang’ata Nanyokie, Chemundu/Kapng’etuny, and Metkei in Elgeyo Marakwet will also be casting their votes.

In the Gusii region, by-elections will run in Nyansiongo, Nyamaiya, and Ekerenyo wards in Nyamira County. Urban centres are not exempt, with Mumbuni North in Machakos and Kariobangi North in Nairobi also heading to the polls.

The National Police Service (NPS) headquarters said the exercise had kicked off well in all places. More police officers were mobilised from areas without elections and sent to the 22 polling stations to beef up security.

NPS spokesman Muchiri Nyaga said the service emphasised its constitutional mandate to protect life and property, prevent and detect crime, and uphold public safety while respecting human rights and the rule of law.

Nyaga said the NPS is working closely with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in accordance with the law to ensure adequate security before, during, and after the polls.

IEBC assured Kenyans of heightened security during the by-elections. According to the commission, every polling station in the 22 by-election areas will have a minimum of two security officers on duty.

Additional security teams will also be conducting patrols and providing rapid response where necessary.

“Voters are assured of a secure and peaceful environment and are urged to report any incidents through the appropriate security channels,” said IEBC chairperson Erastus Ethekon in a statement.

The commission said the move is aimed at guaranteeing a secure, peaceful, and orderly environment for voters to exercise their democratic right.

IEBC said it has deployed adequate security personnel not only at polling stations but also at tallying centres and other strategic locations across the constituencies holding by-elections. This includes both urban and rural polling points, ensuring comprehensive coverage and rapid intervention capabilities.

Earlier, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen conducted an assessment of the security situation in various electoral areas. He was accompanied by his Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, Deputy Inspector General of Kenya Police Eliud Lagat, and his Administration Police counterpart Gilbert Masengeli.

Murkomen warned that anybody found loitering and attempting to interfere with elections will be treated as a suspect “like other suspects.”