Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has taken on Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, accusing the ministry of failing to safeguard voters and candidates during Thursday’s by-elections, which were marred by violence in several parts of the country.
Speaking hours after incidents were reported in Malava, Kabuchai, Kasipul and other hotspots, Sifuna described the day as “one of the bloodiest election days in recent years,” arguing that the chaos exposed glaring gaps in the country’s security preparedness.
The violence comes despite CS Murkomen’s assurances on Wednesday that security agencies had deployed officers across all 22 electoral areas to ensure a peaceful and credible vote.
“I remain confident that tomorrow’s by-elections will reflect the true will of the people. We have taken comprehensive steps to ensure security and order,” Murkomen had said.
In Malava, tensions escalated early Thursday morning when a vehicle in a candidate’s convoy—a Toyota Prado was reportedly torched in Manyonje. Local officials said unknown assailants targeted the vehicle to intimidate voters in what is considered a stronghold for one of the candidates. At least two people were injured during a related clash at a nearby hotel. Police later confirmed the arrest of five suspects linked to the arson.
Voting in the affected areas continued under heavy security, though IEBC noted a dip in turnout in stations hit by disruptions.
In Kabuchai, Bungoma County, polling was briefly halted after a mob confronted Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya as he campaigned for a ward candidate. The confrontation prompted a swift police intervention before voting resumed.
Sifuna accused security agencies of either incompetence or direct involvement in the unrest, insisting that the scale and coordination of the violence raises serious questions.
“The level of chaos being witnessed can only point to two possibilities either incompetence within the security command or complicity in planning and executing the violence,” he said.
With more clashes reported in Kasipul and other regions, concerns continue to rise over the preparedness of security organs ahead of future by-elections. The IEBC is expected to issue a detailed update after tallying is completed.
