By-elections live blog: Polling stations close as vote tallying begins across the country

A gun stolen from Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma’s bodyguard during the Kasipul by-election chaos has been recovered, Homa Bay County Police Commander Lawrence Koilem confirms.

Police have also arrested 23 individuals, impounded 15 vehicles and seized crude weapons.

IEBC warns against any attempts to interfere with polling and tallying areas as vote counting gets underway across the 22 electoral areas following Thursday’s by-elections.

IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon says no unauthorised person will be allowed into the protected areas during counting and verification.

Police lob teargas to disperse rival youths who were engaged in stone-throwing outside the main tallying centre at Siakago Social Hall in Mbeere North shortly after the polling stations closed at 5:00 pm.

IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon has condemned acts of violence, intimidation, or disruption reported in isolated areas during the voting process on Thursday.

Polling stations have officially closed according to the set IEBC timelines, except for those which opened late, across 22 areas for the by-elections.

IEBC terms the circulating allegations of ballot stuffing as misleading and inaccurate.

IEBC: Our ballot management procedures make such claims practically impossible. Voting is conducted in the full presence of agents, observers, and the media.

Each ballot paper contains multiple security features that cannot be reproduced.

We urge the public to rely on verified information from the Commission and reject falsehoods meant to undermine the electoral process.

Approximately two hours to go to the closing of polling stations across the 22 by-election polling areas.

IEBC: We encourage you to turn out in large numbers and exercise your democratic right peacefully.

Heavily armed youths blocked from accessing Agoro Sare Primary School.

Justin Muturi confronts a voter bribery suspect at Siakago Social Hall in Mbeere North.

Vehicle torched as violence rocks Malava by-election in Kakamega County.

Voting is ongoing in Hagardera, Garissa County, where residents are casting their ballots in the Fafi Ward by-election.

DAP-K candidate Seth Panyako arrested soon after alleging an assassination attempt, held at Malava Police Station.

Former Mumbuni North MCA Paul Museku confronted by residents over alleged bribery.

Mbeere North UDA candidate Leo Wa Muthende clarifies claims that the name appearing on the ballot paper differs from his official name.

Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku speaks after casting his vote at Gitiburi Primary polling station, denies bribery allegations.

MCA Kiruga Thuku refutes allegations of bribing voters to support the UDA candidate in the Mbeere North by-election.

Mathira MP alleges former Attorney General Justin Muturi attempted to block voters at a polling station in Mbeere North.

Kasipul MP aspirant and independent candidate Philip Aroko casts his vote.

Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma injured after attack by suspected goons in Kasipul; his bodyguard reportedly lost a firearm during the incident.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula casts his vote at Namakhele Primary School during the Chwele–Kabuchai Ward by-election.

Chaos erupts at Kanagini Primary School in Magarini after a man claiming to be an agent arrives at the polling station despite allegedly not being a registered voter.

Eugene Wamalwa accuses the state of fueling violence and bribery in Malava, alleging that hired groups were ferried from Nairobi and that police are colluding with goons.

Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) candidate Seth Panyako casts his vote at Lunyu Polling Station in Manda-Shivanga Ward, Malava Constituency in Kakamega County.

Seth Panyako casts his vote at St Joseph’s Lunyu Primary School, Malava, Kakamega County. (Photo: Abuga Makori/X)

ODM’s Magarini by-election candidate, Harrison Kombe, expresses concern after some of his polling agents were allegedly denied access to several voting stations.

IEBC Commissioner Alutalala oversaw the opening of polling in Magarini Constituency and monitored voting at several polling stations within the area.

Voters in Kasipul and Ugunja are steadily arriving at polling centres to participate in the by-elections, as security personnel maintain strict oversight. Kasipul was previously flagged as a potential hotspot, remains under close monitoring.

Polling centres open, marking the start of by-elections in Magarini, Malava, Mbeere North and Banisa, among others. Voting is set to close at 5:00 pm.

Polling stations opened at 6:00 am and will close at 5:00 pm.⁠ (Photo: IEBC/X)