The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Erastus Ethokon has addressed the widespread claims of voter bribery ahead of the Thursday, November 27, 2025, by-election in Malava Constituency.

On Tuesday, November 25, 2025, the Democratic Action Party (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa condemned perceived voter bribery in Malava, accusing Kakamega Woman Representative Elsie Muhanda of using relief food and non-food donations to influence voters ahead of the particular mini polls.

In a statement shared on X, the former Defence Cabinet Secretary said the actions taking place in Malava were “degrading” and a direct assault on democratic principles.

Wamalwa demanded that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) take swift action to curb what he termed as open and shameless voter bribery. According to the former CS, the items being distributed, including foodstuffs, blankets, and mattresses, were originally meant for landslide victims in Elgeyo Marakwet County.

Wamalwa raises alarm

“We demand IEBC action against the degrading open voter bribery in Malava constituency by Kakamega Women Rep Elsie Muhanda and her other broad-based colleagues using relief food and non-food items like blankets and mattresses meant for victims of disasters such as drought, floods and landslides, like what happened in Elgeyo Marakwet recently,” he stated.

Speaking separately in a local TV interview on Tuesday night, November 25, 2025, IEBC Chairman Erastus Edung Ethokon said the Commission has not received any formal complaint from aspirants regarding the viral videos. He asked aggrieved parties to follow the stipulated procedure and formally raise the matter.

Also watch: By-elections: IEBC warns against photographing ballot papers after voting.

IEBC responds

”There are concerns that have reached us; some have not, but we are addressing them as they come. We have seen those videos circulating, and we cannot verify exactly what those videos are. There is a procedure normally used to address such issues,” he said.

”We urge the concerned aspirants to raise the issue with the Commission through proper channels. We have our returning officer on the ground; they can raise this issue so that we can verify that indeed those mattresses or any other bribery actions are true so that we can take the necessary action. As for now, we have not received any formal complaint,” he added.

Wamalwa’s comments come at a time when the political atmosphere in Western Kenya is heating up, with leaders intensifying grassroots engagements ahead of the anticipated mini polls.  DAP-K’s Seth Panyako and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate David Ndakwa are the main aspirants vying for the Malava Constituency Member of Parliament seat in the Thursday by-election.