The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson, Ethokon Edong, has warned candidates participating in the upcoming by-elections not to show up with truckloads of supporters or goons at the tallying stations.
The Chairperson said this during a media briefing at Kasipul on 26th November 2025 while updating the nation on the preparedness of the electoral commission ahead of the Thursday by-elections.
Ethokon Edong warned that the commission will not allow candidates to arrive at the tallying stations with goons or characters that will breach the peace at the gazetted areas.
“We don't expect anyone to show up with goons or with truckloads of supporters with the objective of coming to disrupt the tallying process,” the Chairperson affirmed.
The IEBC Chair appealed to all those who will be allowed to access the tallying stations to uphold decorum, decency, and respect while at the tallying centres.
“We expect decorum, we expect respect; they have to respect that space because it is a gazetted space, it is a protected space. We do not expect anyone to show up with goons,” Ethokon said.
The Chairperson revealed that the individuals who will be allowed at tallying stations will be candidates, the media, international and local observers, representatives of political parties, and senior leaders whose parties are participating in the elections.
In the media briefing, the IEBC Chair confirmed that the commission is ready to withstand any amount of pressure coming from the elections.
The IEBC boss also revealed that he expects a high voter turnout of about 70% in the by-elections across the country.
The Chairperson also assured Kenyans of adequate security during the election day, saying that the commission, together with the National Police Service, has deployed police officers in by-election areas depending on the level of risk.
He further affirmed that the commission will ensure the safety of election materials, election officials, and the voters.
