Candidates aligned with President William Ruto's broad-based government won all seven parliamentary seats in Kenya's by-elections on November 27, 2025, signaling strong support amid reports of irregularities. While observers like ELOG praised much of the process, groups such as the Law Society of Kenya highlighted chaos and violence, urging preparations for 2027. Opposition leaders contested results and accused the government of malpractice.
On November 27, 2025, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) conducted by-elections in 22 areas across Kenya, filling vacancies in parliamentary, senatorial, and county assembly seats. The Election Observers Group (ELOG) deployed 100 roving observers and released a preliminary report on November 28, rating 93.4% of polling stations as having good or very good conduct. However, 83% of stations started voting on time or earlier, with 17% facing delays; 1.6% encountered issues with electronic KIEMS kits; and 42% of stations reported voter challenges, including wrong stations, missing names, or lack of ID. ELOG described the figure as encouraging but insufficient for full credibility, calling for better voter education, timely information, enforced assisted voting, and addressing high-profile influences at polls. They also urged the National Police Service to investigate violence.
Ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and allies secured victories, including David Ndakwa in Malava with 21,564 votes against Seth Panyako's 20,210. Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), part of the coalition, won Magarini (Harrison Kombe, 17,909 votes), Kasipul (Boyd Were), and Ugunja (Moses Omondi). President Ruto, speaking on November 28 in Kiambu, hailed the sweep of seven seats as a rejection of tribal politics, stating, "Out of seven parliamentary seats, all of them were won by the broad-based government. Some people have no agenda and no plan."
Opposition reactions were sharp. Trans-Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and Senator Boni Khalwale condemned voter bribery and security interference in Malava, with Natembeya noting, "Most alarming was the scale of voter bribery conducted openly and with impunity." The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) warned of sliding into chaos, citing bloodshed and unfulfilled IEBC requirements, and called for prosecutions under the Elections Offences Act. Seth Panyako contested results, claiming wins in 134 of 198 stations but manipulation in 54. In Homa Bay, 16 suspects were arrested after an attack on MP Peter Kaluma during Kasipul voting. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's six-month-old Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) won three ward seats: Kariobangi North (David Warui, 2,282 votes), Narok Town (Douglas Masikonde, 6,007), and Kisa East (Aduda Okwiri, 1,952). A milestone was Isabella Leshimpiro's election as Samburu's first female MCA for Angata Nanyukie Ward with 1,235 votes. UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar challenged disloyal members like Khalwale to resign, while Nandi Senator Kiprotich Arap Cherargei touted the results as foreshadowing Ruto's 2027 win. MP Millie Odhiambo advised against relying on online supporters after ODM's Kasipul victory despite predictions of loss.
