The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has attributed the violence that marred the November 27 by-elections to lapses by the National Police Service (NPS) and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), while insisting the commission largely delivered a successful poll.
IEBC Commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana said the commission achieved 95 per cent of its mandate, with the remaining gaps resulting from failures by other state agencies beyond its control. Polling stations reportedly opened on time, ballot boxes were inspected publicly, and observers were present.
The by-elections, covering six constituencies and one Senate seat, were disrupted in areas such as Kasipul and Malava, where violent incidents left two people dead and multiple campaign staff injured. Candidates who violated harmonised campaign schedules were fined Sh1 million each, while the commission called on police to investigate security lapses.
Despite the unrest, the poll concluded successfully, with United Democratic Alliance (UDA) winning Mbeere North, Malava, and Banissa seats, while Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) claimed Kasipul, Ugunja, and Magarini. An independent candidate won the Kabuchai MCA seat.
Mukhwana urged the public to evaluate IEBC’s performance against constitutional standards, noting that elections are cyclical and security responsibility extends beyond the commission to all state agencies involved.
 has attributed the violence that marred the November 27 by-elections to lapses by the National Police Service (NPS) and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), while insisting the commission largely delivered a successful poll.){kind=link}