Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Commissioner Alutala Mukhwana has announced that security has been beefed up in all by-election zones.

While speaking to the media on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, the commissioner emphasised that in highly volatile areas, both uniformed and non-uniformed police officers from various departments will be deployed to man the by-election areas.

The commissioner also acknowledged that it is normal for there to be tensions in by-elections since they involve competition, with each side aiming to outdo the other, adding that the exercise cannot always be calm.

“Kura hizi ni mashindano, lazima joto lipande, hata lishapanda, lakini kiusalama, mipangilio tulioiweka katika maeneo yote 22, kuna usalama wa kutosha, kuna polisi ambao wako kwenye sare, kuna wale ambao hawako kwenye sare, na tumehusisha viombo vyote vya usalama,” Alutalala said.

In Mbeere North, IEBC CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan, among other commissioners, is holding talks with security agencies drawn from Mbeere North at the constituency offices. This follows claims by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who claimed that the opposition is planning to bring in goons to cause violence during polling day.

Elsewhere in Magarini, in terms of security, the returning officer Joseph Mwofondo announced that two police officers will be deployed to each polling station, with the tallying centre being manned by over 50 officers together with the Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU).

Photos of ballot papers

Apart from security measures, the Magarini returning officer has also warned voters against taking photos of ballot papers.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, Mwofondo addressed earlier claims that some politicians were luring voters to take photos of their votes in exchange for tokens of appreciation.

He emphasised that such actions will not be tolerated and that security agencies have been tasked with decisively handling any offences.

He further stated that all presiding officers have been instructed to ensure that no one enters the voting booth with a phone or takes photos of their voting outcome, as this is a punishable offence.

“Tumeambia wale wote watakao simamia vituo kwamba hakuna mtu yeyote atakubaliwa kuingia mahali pa kupigia kura akiwa na simu au kupiga picha ya ballot paper. Ikiwa kuna mtu atakayepatikana akifanya hivyo, hatua kali zitachukuliwa,” Mwofondo said.