Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has demanded that Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and his team take full responsibility for failing to secure the safety of all participants in the ongoing by-elections.
Speaking on Thursday, November 27 2025, Sifuna described the day as one of the bloodiest election days in recent history, highlighting violence across multiple by-election hotspots nationwide, including Kabuchai, Malava, and Kasipul.
In the run-up to the by-elections, scheduled across 22 electoral areas, CS Murkomen had publicly assured Kenyans on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, that security forces had been deployed across affected regions to safeguard voters and uphold the integrity of the polls.
“I remain confident that with cooperation, vigilance, and respect for the rule of law, tomorrow’s by-elections will reflect the true will of the people. We have taken comprehensive steps to ensure security, order, and a conducive environment for all voters,” he added.
However, Senator Sifuna accused security agencies of incompetence or worse, alleged complicity in planning and executing the unrest.
This comes as violence was reported in several areas across the country. In Malava, reports emerged early Thursday morning that a vehicle in a candidate’s convoy, a Toyota Prado, was allegedly torched in Manyonje by unknown assailants aiming to intimidate voters in what is considered a stronghold for one of the contenders.
Local officials said at least two people were injured in a related clash at a hotel where campaign activities were ongoing. The police have arrested five suspects in connection with the vehicle arson.
Voting continued under heavy security deployment in the affected areas, but according to the IEBC, voter turnout dropped in affected polling stations.
Across the border in Kabuchai, Bungoma County, morning polling was disrupted by a mob attack on Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, who was campaigning for his preferred MCA candidate.
Despite the assurances from security agencies, outbreaks of violence in Malava, Kabuchai, Kasipul, and other areas have raised serious questions about their preparedness.
In the social media post, Sifuna lamented the widespread violence, arguing that the security command must take responsibility. He stated that the level of chaos being witnessed points either to incompetence in the security command or their outright involvement in planning and executing it.
