Residents in several constituencies showed heightened vigilance during Thursday’s by-elections, confronting political figures over suspected attempts to influence voters.
In Magarini Constituency, Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga was chased away by residents amid suspicions he was planning to bribe constituents to support a specific candidate.
The confrontation occurred at a local polling station in Kanagoni.
Witnesses said Chonga arrived at the polling centre purportedly to observe voting activities but was confronted by residents who claimed he did not have the proper authority to be present.
The by-election in Magarini is being conducted under tight security, with police deployed to polling stations to maintain order and prevent disruptions.
The Magarini by-election also saw ODM candidate Harrison Kombe raise concerns after some of his polling agents were reportedly barred from entering several polling stations, which he said disrupted the start of an otherwise peaceful voting process.
Speaking at Mjanaheri Primary School, Kombe insisted that all party agents, including his own, be allowed inside polling rooms.
“Party agents who are also compromised, and I’m not ready for that. I want a fair game, a fair game. My agents must be in the room throughout. That is it,” he said, adding that there was sufficient space for multiple agents from each party. Kombe urged residents to turn out and exercise their voting rights.
"We can have even four agents in the room. Let them bring two agents for the party, and my two agents to be also inside there,” said Kombe.
The Magarini parliamentary seat fell vacant after the High Court nullified the 2022 general election results due to irregularities, prompting the IEBC to call for a fresh by-election.
The constituency has 80,128 registered voters, all under the close supervision of security personnel to maintain a safe and orderly voting environment.
Elswhere, in Mumbuni North, Machakos county, former Ward MCA Paul Museku was reportedly attacked shortly after arriving at Mung’ala Polling Station, with locals alleging he tried to sway voters in favour of his preferred candidate.
Police intervened quickly and rescued him from the crowd, escorting him to safety.
Violence also marred the Kasipul Constituency Mp by-election, with Homa Bay Town Mp Peter Kaluma attacked.
Kaluma, nursing head injuries, reported that his bodyguard lost his firearm during the incident.
“We have been attacked by our opponents, yet I am an agent of the ODM Party in this election. My bodyguard has lost his gun in the incident,” Kaluma told reporters.
He said he was assaulted by goons at Agoro Sare Primary School when he went to inspect the voting process.
Rowdy youths could be seen in Videos circulating, claiming that the MP has long been at the forefront of insulting them. Kaluma accused independent candidate Philip Aroko of orchestrating the attack.
In Kakamega Town, a man was reportedly held captive and beaten over allegations of involvement in rigging. He was later rescued and rushed to hospital with head injuries. In Narok, a ward candidate was reportedly harassed by unidentified assailants.
Drama also unfolded in the Malava Mp by-election as DAP-K candidate Seth Panyako raised alarms over a suspected attempt on his life.
Speaking shortly after casting his vote at St Joseph Lunyu Primary School, Panyako said his driver was seriously injured in an attack he alleges was orchestrated by individuals connected to government circles the previous night.
According to Panyako, the assault also targeted his family, with the attackers allegedly including a senior aide to the president.
"The government machinery, together with criminals, attacked my hotel, and the attack aimed to assassinate my wife and me," he stated, emphasising the personal danger he faced in the lead-up to the polls.
He claimed his perceived lead in pre-election surveys made him a target.
"The government candidate was only doing 24 per cent yesterday. So the only option that is there for the government candidate to win this election is to assassinate me. They have no way of winning this election," he said, pointing to what he called desperate tactics by his rivals.
Panyako explained that the assailants went directly to his hotel room, even though he and his wife were lodged in a separate suite, which he interprets as proof of deliberate targeting.
After voting, he was visibly emotional, with cameras capturing him breaking down in tears. Meanwhile, his driver continues to recover from stab injuries at Webuye Hospital.
The political tensions in Malava were compounded by another violent episode on Wednesday, when a man was attacked by residents who accused him of trying to bribe voters.
At this stage, it is unclear which candidate the individual was supporting, but the incident adds to a growing list of election-related confrontations.
DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa condemned the actions and demanded immediate accountability.
"We want to tell the IG of police that police are being used as a tool of violence and are working with goons. We want to tell the IEBC that this UDA candidate should be disqualified for going to the extent of wanting to harm his opponent," Wamalwa said, highlighting the severity of the situation.
In a statement, Wamalwa accused state agencies and hired groups of orchestrating violence and interfering with ballots in the ongoing by-elections.
Mbeere North Mp seat was not spared from the drama. The by-election, saw former cabinet secretary Justin Muturi confront a local, accusing him of attempting to interfere with the process.
A video seen by Julisha.co.ke captured residents engaging in a heated confrontation with Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire and officials, accusing them of attempting to rig the poll in favor of the ruling UDA party candidate. The Governor could be seen driving off shortly after.
The seat, previously held by Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, has in recent weeks attracted exchanges between Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and his predecessor Rigathi Gachagua. The ruling Party's Wamuthende is facing off with an equally strong candidate in Newton Karish, backed by the opposition. The outcome is tipped to test UDA's influence in Mt Kenya, where the President's popularity has been fading in recent months.
