“We have to go back to the drawing
board. That is not what we expected especially in Mbeere North where we had put
our all,” a senior official aligned to the coalition told the Star.
“It is good, it has happened early
enough. We now have ample time to reset and prepare well for the 2027 contest.”
According to Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, the by-elections highlighted key aspects
of Kenya’s current political landscape.
He cautioned that leaders who focus on arguments instead of meaningful voter
engagement risk setbacks in future contests.
“This by-election has provided a good moment to learn and correct,” Amisi
said.
“Those who learn will win the next election; those who continue arguing will
lose, and life will go on.”
He added that the outcome of the by-elections should serve as a reminder to
leaders to prioritise voter engagement and performance over rhetoric.
Amisi suggested that parties should re-evaluate their strategies,
particularly in areas where vote margins were unexpectedly tight.
“Kenya needs a renaissance,” he stated.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargey told the Star that the 2027 elections will follow a similar pattern.
"This is a clear testament that Kenyans have faith in the leadership of President William Ruto. In 2027, nothing will change. President Ruto will still carry the day," he said.
Some members of the opposition team have however threatened
moving to court to challenge the results of Thursday’s by-elections.
Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo (Wiper) claimed that cases of
voter intimidation, interference compromised the integrity of the vote.
“Everyone knows what happened, there are enough grounds for petition and we are going to consider that,” Maanzo told the Star on phone.
“IEBC, we meet in court,” Kirinyaga Woman Representative
Njeri Maina said.
Analysts say the by-elections
outcome has a direct reflection on the direction the 2027 elections will take.
Advocate Ken
Echesa said the just-concluded polls set pace for the next general elections.
“Chances are that people who will
win are not largely winning by themselves, it is a reflection of so many
combined forces and efforts. This election is, in my opinion, a pacesetter for
2027,” Echesa said moments before the results were declared.
While the coalition celebrated
ward-level wins, observers noted these were largely in areas traditionally
friendly to either Gachagua or Kalonzo, offering little comfort in the broader
national picture.
Meanwhile, President Ruto seized the moment, framing the results as a public endorsement of the Kenya Kwanza
administration and a rejection of what they termed as vision-less critics.
“We had by-elections yesterday (Thursday)
from Mbeere to Kasipul, from Banisa to Baringo and out of the seven parliamentary
seats, all of them went to the broad-based government,” Ruto said on Friday when
presided at the ground-breaking of the Rironi- Mau Summit road.
“Some people have no agenda and
no plan. They will come here and tell you ‘Kasongo’, ‘wantam’ and 'must go'. If they continue like this, we will sink them at dawn, we
have warned them.”
Ruto also assured residents of Mt Kenya of his continued commitment to the
region, recalling their firm support during the 2022 General Election.
"I became the President because of your votes. I want to assure you we
will walk together until Kiambu and the whole Kenya is developed," he
stated.
