United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Ahmed Maalim Hassan has won the Banisa parliamentary by-election, securing a decisive mandate in a poll held to fill the seat left vacant following the death of his brother, Kulow Maalim Hassan.
According to official results released by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Ahmed garnered 10,431 votes, defeating his closest challenger, United Progressive Alliance (UPA) candidate Nurdin Maalim Mohamed, who received 1,240 votes.
Ahmed’s presence on the ballot came after a tense legal battle. A voter had sought to block his candidacy on claims of dual citizenship.
In the decision released last Thursday, Justice Lawrence Mugambi dismissed the case, describing it as premature, speculative, and without legal grounding.
Justice Mugambi stated that the petitioner had wrongly taken the matter to the High Court even though the IEBC’s Dispute Resolution Committee had already handled the issue.
The petition had argued that Ahmed was ineligible for nomination unless he renounced what was alleged to be foreign citizenship.
But the judge ruled that the challenge stood on “quicksand”, both in procedure and substance, clearing the UDA candidate to remain in the race.
In the weeks leading to the vote, the Banisa contest drew notable political figures who threw their weight behind Ahmed.
Top UDA officials, including national secretary general Hassan Omar, UDM party leader and Mandera Senator Ali Roba, and Mandera Governor Mohamed Khalif, joined him on the campaign trail, signalling the importance attached to the seat by leaders in the region.
There was also a wider political arrangement behind the scenes. Reports indicated that President William Ruto and Senator Ali reached an understanding that led to the withdrawal of Adan Mohamed of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP).
The agreement was reportedly sealed during a meeting at State House on September 17, leaving the UDA candidate with a clearer path in a race that had initially attracted several aspirants.
Ahmed’s bid also carried emotional weight following the passing of his brother, Kulow, who died in a hit-and-run motorcycle accident in Nairobi’s South B last year.
His death left the constituency in mourning and eventually triggered the by-election.
Immediately after the IEBC announced the results, Ahmed addressed supporters at the tallying centre. He pledged to recover what he described as “three years of lost time” during which Banisa had no representation in Parliament.
“It has been three years since we had representation, a long period for our people to remain without an MP while the rest of the country had theirs,” he said. “I will move as fast as possible to recover everything we lost in those three years. Your patience will pay.”
He thanked voters for their trust and acknowledged the role of Mandera leaders in mobilising residents and ensuring a peaceful voting process.
In his concession message, Nurdin Maalim Mohamed said he respected the will of the people and accepted the results. He congratulated Ahmed for winning the seat and said he was leaving the contest stronger and more informed about the constituency’s political landscape.
“We tried our best and sold our agenda, but the voters have spoken. I have no regrets for contesting; I gained valuable experience that prepares me for the next time,” he said.
Nurdin urged Ahmed to serve all residents fairly, regardless of how they voted.
“Congratulations on your victory. Ensure that those who voted for me are fully considered. They deserve equal rights as your constituents,” he stated.
