By Tony Wafula
Chaos, violence and widespread electoral malpractices marred Thursday’s mini-polls in Malava Constituency, Chwele/Kabuchai Ward and Kariobangi North Ward, according to a preliminary Election Day Observation Statement released by Inuka Kenya Angaza Kura elections platform.
Addressing the press in Bungoma on Tuesday, Inuka Kenya’s Election Observation Lead by Nyukuri Barasa said the by-elections held on November 27 were marked by worrying levels of intimidation, bribery, administrative interference and outright violence far below the standards expected of a democratic process.
He noted that although the general polling environment remained calm in some stations, the integrity of the process was undermined by coordinated actions that interfered with voters’ free choice.
Inuka Kenya deployed observers across the three electoral areas, including 45 stationed at polling centres and five roving observers, providing what Barasa described as an independent and impartial account of events.
Barasa reported that one of the most alarming incidents occurred around 8:50 a.m. at Busakala Primary School in Chwele/Kabuchai Ward, where a supporter and driver of the Independent candidate was reportedly beaten and seriously injured by the Ford Kenya candidate following allegations of canvassing and bribery.
Barasa said observers alerted both IEBC officials and security officers present, but no action was taken.
He noted that a similar attack took place at Chwele VTC, where the chief agent of the Independent candidate was assaulted around 9:00 a.m. by individuals allegedly linked to a rival political camp.
According to Barasa, these attacks not only endangered lives but also created an atmosphere of fear inconsistent with democratic participation.
He added that intimidation extended to agents and even candidates, with reports from Musese CDF polling station indicating harassment of agents affiliated with opposing parties.
Barasa further faulted political actors and law enforcement agencies for allowing blatant bribery within and around polling centres.
He said that the observers recorded numerous cases in Chwele/Kabuchai including at Busakala Primary, Chwele VTC, Musese CDF, Sinandiki and Nairumbi where aspirants or their agents allegedly operated from classrooms within polling compounds, directing voters to collect “kalamu” before voting.
Barasa describes the practice as a deliberate subversion of the voters’ will.
In Malava Constituency, observers documented coordinated bribery taking place inside nearby homes belonging to party agents, all within the prohibited 400-metre radius of polling stations.
Barasa lamented that despite these violations occurring openly, IEBC officials and police did not take visible action to deter or stop the malpractice, saying this inaction further eroded public confidence in the electoral process.
The misuse of IEBC-like accreditation by political agents also raised concern. In Malava, some party operatives were found wearing badges resembling official IEBC identification, causing confusion among voters.
Barasa stated that more than ten so-called “super agents” moved from station to station demanding real-time updates, the behaviors he described as highly disruptive and intimidating to both election officials and the electorate.
He warned that such interference compromises the orderly management of polling stations and undermines the credibility of the voting process.
The polls further exposed glaring accessibility gaps for persons with disabilities, at Nalondo DEB wheelchair users’ encountered overgrown paths, lack of ramps and staircases blocking access to voting rooms.
“There was an absence of tactile ballot guides for visually impaired voters,” he said.
Barasa termed this a systemic failure to uphold the rights of all voters and urged the IEBC to conduct mandatory accessibility audits ahead of future elections.
“Operational challenges were also reported, including power blackouts in several polling stations and inadequate welfare provisions for polling staff issues observers warned could contribute to fatigue related errors and inefficiencies,” he added.
He revealed that voter turnout varied across the three areas, with Chwele/Kabuchai Ward recording 50 percent, Malava Constituency slightly below 47 percent and Kariobangi North Ward registering a low 29 percent.
Barasa further attributed the low urban turnout to distrust, apathy and fear driven by the disorderly nature of the process.
He expressed concern that such patterns, if left unaddressed, could deepen disengagement, especially among young voters.
Ends
