Magarini by-election: ODM's Harrison Kombe raises alarm as agents barred from polling stations
The by-election, which has drawn 10 candidates, is being closely watched as parties seek to consolidate their political influence ahead of the 2027 General Election. The constituency has 80,128 registered voters, according to IEBC.
ODM’s Magarini by-election candidate, Harrison Kombe, has expressed concern after some of his polling agents were allegedly denied access to several voting stations on Thursday morning.
Kombe spoke shortly after casting his ballot, saying the situation had disrupted the smooth start of an otherwise peaceful voting exercise.
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“The voting exercise is going on well and, God willing, I hope it continues smoothly. However, a number of polling stations are experiencing confusion. Some of my agents have been blocked from entering, and I am rushing there to resolve the matter because I am the candidate, and my agents must be inside the polling stations.”
The by-election, which has drawn 10 candidates, is being closely watched as parties seek to consolidate their political influence ahead of the 2027 General Election. The constituency has 80,128 registered voters, according to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Kombe urged residents to come out in large numbers, noting that it was still too early in the day to comment on voter turnout.
“At the moment, we cannot speak about the numbers because it is still early, it is not even 7 am yet. I am hopeful that by around 8 or 9 am, the queues will be longer and people will turn out in large numbers.”
He also commended the security arrangements put in place for the poll, saying authorities appeared to have tightened operations compared to previous election cycles.
“So far, security is stable. They have put in place proper measures, unlike in the past when you would find people roaming around at night distributing money. This time, security has been properly enforced.”
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The Magarini parliamentary seat fell vacant following the nullification of the 2022 General Election results, after a successful petition challenged the credibility of the poll.
The court cited irregularities, prompting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to declare the seat unoccupied and call for a fresh by-election. This decision set the stage for renewed political competition in the constituency, drawing multiple candidates back to the campaign trail as parties sought to reclaim or secure the seat.
Election observers and security agencies have been deployed to monitor the process, with the IEBC assuring all candidates of a free, fair, and transparent exercise.
Voting is expected to continue until 5pm, after which counting and tallying will begin at designated centres.
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