Mbeere North records steady voter turnout in by-elections

Steady voter turnout witnessed at Siakago social hall polling center, Mbeere North, by-elections on November 27, 2025/HANDOUT

Mbeere North has recorded an impressive and steady voter turnout on Thursday morning as residents turned up early to cast their ballots in a crucial by-election to choose their next Member of Parliament.

From as early as 6am, long, orderly queues began forming at various polling stations, with voters braving the cold morning breeze to participate in the democratic exercise.

Clutching their national ID cards, the electorate responded positively to calls by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) encouraging Kenyans to come out in large numbers and vote.

The peaceful and determined turnout was a testament to the constituency’s readiness and enthusiasm to shape its political future.

IEBC officials began the day by opening polling materials in the presence of agents and observers. Ballot boxes were displayed openly before being sealed to guarantee transparency.

The voter identification and verification kits were powered up and activated on time, ensuring a seamless start to the process.

The voter roll pages—where each voter signs before being issued a ballot—were stamped with the official IEBC mark, confirming proper preparation and adherence to procedure.

In a video seen by the Star, security was visibly enhanced across the constituency, with officers deployed early to maintain order and provide reassurance. Their presence contributed to the calm environment that defined the early hours of voting.

As polling stations opened at 6am, voters moved steadily in queues through the verification desks before proceeding to cast their ballots.

Resident casting vote at Siakago social hall polling center, Mbeere North by elections/HANDOUT

A voter dipped a finger in indelible ink after casting her vote at Siakago social hall polling center, Mbeere North/HANDOUT

After voting, each voter dipped a finger in indelible ink to prevent multiple voting before exiting the stations. Many were seen leaving with a quiet sense of fulfillment, having exercised their constitutional right.

The enthusiasm was particularly evident among young voters, who formed a significant portion of the morning queues.

The steady voter turnout comes as Democratic Party (DP) leader and former National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi cast his vote at Kanyuombora Primary School.

Muturi arrived shortly after the polls opened and was done voting early in the morning. He praised the IEBC for what he described as a well-prepared and incident-free start to the by-election.

“I have been making follow-ups from various stations since 6am, and so far the reports I have received show the process has started smoothly and there are no hiccups,” he said.

“It is encouraging to see young men and girls walking to the centres determined to cast their ballots. I remain optimistic that this peaceful trend will hold throughout the day.”

Muturi’s sentiments echoed the general mood across Mbeere North, where both agents and observers reported no major issues in the opening hour. 

IEBC officials reiterated that polling would continue uninterrupted until 5pm. Any lost time at specific stations, should it occur, will be compensated at closing time, and all voters in the queue by 5pm will be allowed to cast their votes.

With voting progressing steadily, attention now shifts to whether the strong morning turnout will be sustained throughout the day. For now, Mbeere North has set a positive tone for the by-election—peaceful, orderly, and driven by voters determined to make their voices count.