IEBC clears Seth Panyako, Boyd Were, and DCP’s Kenga for November mini-polls
By Luke Oluoch, October 8, 2025The Independent Electoral and Boundary Commission (IEBC) has cleared the Kenya National Union of Nurses boss, Seth Panyako, ODM’s Boys Were and DCP’s Magarini candidate Stanley Karisa ahead of the upcoming by-elections.
A spot check by People Daily Digital across several IEBC offices across the country on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, confirmed several candidates who had been given the green light vie for the various posts in the upcoming mini-polls.
In Malava, Panyako, the DAP-K candidate, was cleared some minutes after 11:00 pm. Panyako was flanked by his party leader, Eugene Wamalwa, and Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale.
The DAP-K man faces strong competition against the United Democratic Alliance (UDA)’s David Ndakwa and Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Edgar Busiega.
DCP on the fray
In a related development, the Democracy for Citizens party (DCP) confirmed that its candidate Kenga has also been handed the green light by the electoral body for his candidature in the Magarini by-elections.
The former Kilifi County Assembly Deputy Speaker was unveiled as the party’s candidate on October 3, 2025, days after Furaha Chengo resigned from the Rigathi Gachagua-led party.
“Good News: The DCP candidate, Stanley Karisa Kenga, has officially been cleared by the IEBC to contest in the Magarini by-election,” a statement from the Skiza Wakenya party stated.
DCP also revealed that its ward candidate for the vacant Kariobangi North seat, David Wanyoike Warui, had also been cleared, setting the stage for a clash with ODM and other parties.
Were cleared
Meanwhile, in Kosele, Kasipul Constituency, ODM’s national chairperson, Gladys Wanga, led a delegation of party leadership in presenting its candidate, Boyd Were, to the IEBC offices.
Wanga, in a statement on her X page, expressed solidarity with the youthful aspirant who seeks to capture the seat that was left vacant after the gruesome death of his father, Charles Ong’ondo.
“Boyd Were was this morning cleared by the @IEBCKenya Returning Officer to vie for the Kasipul Constituency by-election on November 27. He was accompanied by top party officials,” ODM confirmed in a statement.
“This morning, we stood firmly with him as he presented his nomination papers to the IEBC in Kosele. Our strong delegation was led by DPL Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir and included DPL Godfrey Osotsi, Sec. Gen. Senator Edwin Sifuna, Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, MPs Peter Kaluma, Fatuma Full Network, and Dr Joyce Osogo Bensuda; Senators Moses Kajwang, Eddy Muok, and Ledama Ole Kina; and a host of other leaders and residents of Kasipul Constituency,” Wanga said.
UGM’s candidate in the Ugunja seat, Benson Obol, has also been cleared, according to David Maraga’s party.
The Erastus Ethekon-led commission has scheduled the by-elections for November 27, 2025.