IEBC promises transparent counting process as violence rocks Mbeere North tallying centre
By Faith Lagat, November 27, 2025The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has assured Kenyans of an open and verifiable vote-counting process in the by-elections across 22 electoral areas, even as isolated incidents of violence marred the exercise in several constituencies.
In an official statement posted on X on November 27, 2025, the Commission outlined the procedure to be followed immediately after polls close:
“After the close of polling at 5:00 pm, the Presiding Officer, in full view of agents, observers, and the media, will open the ballot box, count the ballots, and tabulate the results at the polling station in an open and transparent process.”
The IEBC further announced that “By-election results will be accessible to the public on the commission’s results portal: https://forms.iebc.or.ke.”
Violence overshadows voting process
IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon strongly condemned acts of violence, stating on X: “I strongly condemn all acts of violence, intimidation, or disruption reported in isolated areas during the voting process. Elections are a democratic exercise, and no individual or group has the right to compromise the peace, safety, or integrity of the process.”
Reported incidents included clashes in Kasipul Constituency, where Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma and his bodyguard were injured, with the bodyguard’s firearm reported missing.
In Malava, DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa’s vehicle was set ablaze, while candidate Seth Panyako fled after receiving threats allegedly from individuals linked to the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
In Kabuchai’s Chwele Ward, party agents were ejected amid confrontations, and in Mbeere North, Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi ordered the removal of a UDA agent wearing campaign attire, declaring, “Election Day is not a campaign stage, and polling stations are not a theatre for party branding.”
Ballot stuffing claims rejected
Ethekon assured the public that the Commission is “working closely with security agencies to ensure swift action against any perpetrators and to restore calm where disturbances have occurred.”
He urged candidates and supporters “to uphold the principles of peaceful participation and respect for the rule of law.”
In a separate update, the IEBC called for nationwide calm: “We urge all citizens and leaders to uphold peace throughout voting, counting, results announcement, and the post-election period.”
“Violence and intimidation have no place in our democracy… Protecting the integrity of the vote is a shared responsibility that ensures trust in our electoral process and strengthens Kenya’s democracy.”
The Commission also rejected allegations of ballot stuffing as “misleading and inaccurate”, emphasising that voting occurs “in the full presence of agents, observers & the media” and that every ballot paper contains multiple security features that cannot be reproduced.
Meanwhile, violence rocked Mbeere North tallying centre as rival groups clashed.