ODM’s Harrison Kombe declared winner in Magarini by-election
By Faith Lagat, November 28, 2025Harrison Garama Kombe, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) candidate and former Member of Parliament for Magarini Constituency in Kilifi County, has been officially declared the winner of the by-election held on November 27, 2025. Kombe reclaimed the seat with a commanding lead, reaffirming ODM’s strong foothold in the Coast region.
Kombe reclaims seat with landslide victory
In a resounding victory, Kombe secured 17,909 votes, more than double the tally of his closest challenger, Stanley Kenga of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), who managed 8,907 votes. The strong margin underscored the effective grassroots mobilisation behind Kombe’s campaign.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Returning Officer for Magarini announced the results at the constituency tallying centre, saying: “My utmost pleasure to declare Harrison Kombe as the duly elected MP Magarini constituency, congratulations.”
Immediately after the declaration, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir and Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro joined Kombe on stage as supporters cheered. Kombe expressed gratitude in Swahili, saying: “Nachukua fursa hii kushukuru kila mmoja, na gavana wangu, Nassir na Mung’aro na IEBC kwa kazi nzuri, pia maafisa wa usalama.”
Governor Mung’aro, addressing the jubilant crowd, remarked: “Na wale wapinzani tulisikia uzito wao lakini asiyekubali kushindwa si mshindani.”
Governor Nassir, in a hard-hitting speech, added: “Tunawaambia wale wenye wanaumwa na masikio dawa yao ni ODM, this area hatutauziwa ukabila, lugha ya kutukanwa, mambo ambayo hayana maana yoyote,” before issuing a warning to critics: “Wale wenye nyenyenye na midomo mingi tunawaambia wana midomo na sisi tuna watu.”
ODM sweeps all three parliamentary seats
Kombe’s win formed part of a wider ODM success story, as the party clinched all three parliamentary by-elections held on November 27 across the country. ODM Party Leader Oburu Oginga joined officials in congratulating the victors.
In a statement on his X page, Oburu wrote: “Congratulations to our ODM candidates Moses Omondi (Ugunja), Boyd Were (Kasipul), and Harrison Kombe (Magarini) for your great and well-deserved by-election victories. Your wins are a show of the trust and confidence the people have placed in your leadership and @TheODMparty.”
In Kasipul, Boyd Were garnered 16,819 votes against independent candidate Philip Nashon Aroko’s 8,476. In Ugunja, Moses Omondi secured 9,227 votes, far ahead of Wiper’s Orodi Odhiambo who managed 1,819 votes.
The triple victory reinforced ODM’s dominance in its traditional strongholds of Coast, Nyanza, and Western regions. Party supporters took to the streets in Oyugis, Ugunja, and Magarini to celebrate the outcome of the November 27 polls, marking a significant moment for ODM as it heads toward the 2027 General Election.