Polls open in the 22 electoral areas across the country as Kenyans vote in the 2025 by-elections.
Initially, there were 24 electoral areas, but the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) secured early victories in two wards after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) declared them uncontested.
In Gazette Notice No. 15732 dated October 29, 2025, the IEBC announced that the Tembelio Ward in Uasin Gishu County and the Metkei Ward in Elgeyo Marakwet County will not hold competitive elections after only UDA candidates were validly nominated.
Kenyans in 18 counties will get to cast their votes, with the polls expected to have a low turnout compared to the general election.
Six National Assembly constituencies are up for grabs, being Magarini Constituency (Kilifi), Banissa Constituency (Mandera), Mbeere North Constituency (Embu), Ugunja Constituency (Siaya), Kasipul Constituency (Homa Bay), and Malava Constituency (Kakamega), plus one Senate seat in Baringo County.
Voters will also go to the polls in a number of county assembly wards across 15 electoral areas, including Kariobangi North Ward (Nairobi City), Chewani Ward (Tana River), Fafi Ward (Garissa), Mumbuni North Ward (Machakos), Lake Zone Ward and Nanaam Ward (Turkana), Angata Nanyokie Ward (Samburu), Chemundu/Kapng’etuny Ward (Nandi), Narok Town Ward (Narok), Purko Ward (Kajiado), Kisa East Ward (Kakamega), wards in Nyamira County (Nyansiongo, Nyamaiya, and Ekerenyo), and one in Bungoma County (Kabuchai/Chwele).
IEBC Condemns By-Election Violence, Clarifies Access to Tallying Centres
The Independent and Electoral Boundaries Commission ( IEBC) Chairman Erastus Ethekon, has condemned the incidents of violence, intimidation and disruptions reported in parts of the country during the Thursday November 27 by-elections.
In a press statement release, Ethekon noted that such conducts contravened article 81(e) of the constitution that mandates that elections must be free from intimidation and violence.
The Commission specifically highlighted reports of politicians and public figures involved in actions that heightened tensions, calling such behaviour "unlawful, irresponsible, and unacceptable in a democratic society."
Ethekon reiterated that access to polling stations and tallying centres will be strictly controlled, and that only commissioned staff, election observers, security personnel, media and party agents will be allowed.
Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Erastus Edung EthekonPhotoFormer CJ David Maraga, Other Top Leaders Condemn Violence Witnessed In By Elections
Leaders across political divides have condemned the violence that has been witnessed during the November 27, 2025, by-elections across the country.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga says that the violence should be condemned in the strongest terms.
"The electoral violence witnessed today, and indeed in the past few weeks is unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest terms," Maraga tweeted.
Siaya governor James Orengo also condemned the violence, linking it to President Ruto's dream of making Kenya a first-world country.
"We can't be first world if, years after Constitution 2010, we can't hold peaceful and fair elections. The militarization and 'goonification' of elections is an evil worse than 'mlolongo'," the governor tweeted.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga during the nullification of the 2017 election resultsPhotoJudicial Service CommissionCS Ruku Casts His Vote
Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku votes at the Gitiburi polling centre during the Mbeere North by-election.
Earlier, Ruku accompanied the UDA candidate Leo Wamuthende and his wife, who cast their ballots at Siakago Social Hall Polling Centre.
Wamuthende said he is prepared for any outcome but remains confident of victory. He urged his supporters to turn out, cast their votes, and then head home to await the final tally, emphasising the importance of maintaining peace throughout the process.
UDA Mbeere North Candidate, Leonard Wamuthende casting his vote at Siakago Social Hall, November 27, 2025.PhotoUDALow Voter Turn-out Witnessed in Baringo Senatorial By-election
The Baringo senatorial by-election is experiencing a voter turnout crisis, with many polling centres recording zero voters, while others are recording less than 6 per cent participation by mid-morning.
At Kimailel polling station, where UDA candidate Kiprono Chemitei is expected to cast his vote, only 26 of 486 registered voters had cast their ballots by 11:00 am, despite smooth operations and no technical challenges reported.
Analysts attribute the lack of interest to the withdrawal of KANU leader Gideon Moi from the race, removing real competition for the UDA candidate.
Observers say the majority of those who turned out to vote were elderly, raising questions about youths' interest in the polls.
A voter casting his vote in Baringo County on Thursday, November 27, 2025.FacebookElection Observation Group (KENYA)Seth Panyako Arrested
Seth Panyako arrested hours after he claimed his hotel was attacked and his vehicles vandalised.
While confirming Panyako's detention, DAP-K disclosed that their candidate was currently being held at the Malava Police Station.
Reports indicate that Panyako was apprehended after visiting the police station to report the attack and vandalism of his vehicles by unknown people.
"Our candidate, Seth Panyako, has been apprehended and is currently being held at Malava Police Station," the DAP-Kenya party announced.
MP Kaluma Attacked in Kasipul
Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma has been attacked by a mob in Kasipul during the ongoing by-elections.
The lawmaker was attacked at the Agoro Sale polling station, where he was casting his vote.
He has sustained injuries to his head.
According to the lawmaker, his bodyguard has also lost his firearm during the chaos.
Kaluma is backing the ODM candidate, Boyd Were.
Speaker Moses Wetangula Casts His Ballot at Namakhele Primary School in Chwele–Kabuchai
Speaker Moses Wetang’ula cast his ballot at Namakhele Primary School in Chewele–Kabuchai, urging voters across all 16 affected electoral areas to turn out in large numbers. He emphasized that every Kenyan must be free to vote without fear, calling for enhanced security to guarantee a peaceful and fair polling process.
Wetang’ula assured the public that adequate security personnel had been deployed nationwide to ensure voters cast their ballots confidently. He appealed to citizens to report any suspicious activities and urged police officers to maintain an environment that protects democratic participation as the country awaits the IEBC’s tallying and official results.
Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula Casting his Ballot at Namakhele Primary School in Chwele–Kabuchai on Thursday November 27, 2025PhotoRt.Hon.Dr.Moses Wetang'ulaMuturi Throws Out Wamuthende’s Agent as Chaos Rocks Mbeere North By-Elections
Chaos has erupted at Siakago Social Hall in Mbeere North, as DP Leader Justin Muturi and his team confront Leonard Wa Muthende's agent at the polling station.
Videos seen by Kenyans.co.ke show the former CS chasing away Thuku Kiruga, whom they accuse of wearing UDA party colours, which, they say, is unlawful.
DP, which is backing Newton Karish, accused the Chinga Ward MCA of bribing voters. "We have people wearing party colours and bribing people," one poll observer for the opposition said.
Muturi said, "We have told him you cannot wear party colours. Even if you are an agent."
However, earlier, UDA called on the police to probe a case of voter bribery, accusing a prison officer of handing out cash for votes in favour of a DP candidate in the Kageri area.
Antonella Kakuko, the Deputy Head of Digital Communication at the UDA Party, through a statement on Facebook, said, "The law is clear that public officers who engage in electoral offences face fines, imprisonment, and dismissal from service."
Chaos as Mob Attacks Former MCA in Machakos By-Election
Police have rescued former Mumbuni North Ward MCA Paul Museku from a mob that descended on him at Mung'ala Primary School in Machakos County.
Museku was attacked shortly after arriving at Mung'ala Polling Station. Locals allege he was trying to bribe voters to support his candidate.
Police have taken Museku to safety.
The by-election in Mumbuni North is to fill the vacant Member of the County Assembly (MCA) seat following the passing of the former ward representative, Gideon Kavuu.
Kavuu, who was a member of the Maendeleo Chap Chap party, passed away in August 2023.
The ward has 25 polling stations and 13,778 registered voters.
Polls Open in Mbeere North & Kasipul, No Incidents
No incidents have been reported in Kasipul and Mbeere North as polls open.
A spot check by Kenyans.co.ke has found that there is a heavy deployment of police in the two areas, with police mounting roadblocks and conducting searches of cars.
In Mbeere North, voters turned out in significant numbers, confidently streaming into polling stations to elect their next Member of Parliament. The polls have so far been peaceful and orderly across all polling centres. Voting is seamless, calm, and steady.
"There are no goons here. We have no reason to bring goons to bring goods who can discourage voters from coming to vote," said the Democratic Party (DP) party leader, Justin Muturi, moments after casting his vote.
According to IEBC, there are 55,124 registered voters in Mbeere North expected to take part in the exercise in 124 polling stations spread across the three wards of Evurore, Nthawa, and Muminji.
An elderly woman casting her vote in the MP by-election at the Siakago Social Hall in Siakago, Mbeere North, November 27, 2025.PhotoUDA