The Independent Electoral Boundary Commission (IEBC) commissioner, Alutalala Mukhwana, has given the commission a 95 per cent rating from the just-concluded by-elections.

In an interview with a local radio station on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, Mukhwana stated that the process met many tenets of an election, including secrecy, transparency, and fairness, adding that the remaining 5 per cent lay within the purview of the state agencies.

High rating

“As the IEBC, we did 95 per cent. Our assessment must be based on what the constitution dictates; an election must be contemplated. It says the by-election must be free; that is, citizens must be able to walk into a polling station unhindered and without undue influence and cast their votes,” he stated.

Mukhwana disclosed that the remaining 5 per cent lay within the working of the state, in a subtle reference to the violence and chaos that overshadowed the voting date of Thursday, November 27, 2025.

“There is what was within the armpit of the IEBC, and it’s why I give it 95 percent, and that which was within the state agencies, which is where the 5 percent lies,” he stated.

Also watch: Ndindi Nyoro Demands Accountability Over Chaos in By-Elections.

IEBC on poll violence

Mukhwana also defended the commission from accusations of a laid-back approach to the violence that marred the polls from Malava to Kasipul, stressing that the laws of the land

“Wherever we have allegations, due process must be followed and penalties. In Kasipul, we received complaints about the violence, but after processing it, we could not directly incriminate the two candidates; we only had evidence demonstrating they had veered off their campaign schedules,” he stated.

DCP’s objections

Mukhwana’s remarks come amid mounting criticism from the opposition regarding the conduct of the polls.

On Monday, December 1, 2025, Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) Organising Secretary Peter Mbae accused the commission of allowing irregularities that, he said, undermined the credibility of the vote.

Mbae made the remarks as he disclosed that the opposition allied party was planning to launch a legal challenge to what it described as a deeply flawed and mishandled by-election in Mbeere North.

Mbae questioned why the Commission proceeded with tallying despite complaints being raised at the polling station.

Flawed process

“Please tell us from the word go why we are talking about processes. Is it that people cannot complain that somebody has run away with the ballot box, and you continue to count? They also went ahead to announce the winner. I am very worried about the process,” he added.

The Rigathi Gachagua-led party stated it would use the petition to expose what he termed as systemic failures within IEBC, hoping the case would become a turning point in the country’s electoral management.

“We have 5 to 10 questions that IEBC has to answer in a court of law slowly, no pressure. The court allows us 28 days to submit a petition, so we are doing it silently,” he said.