UDA, ODM sweeps most of the seats in mini-polls as opposition trails
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) emerged as the biggest winner in Thursday’s by-elections, clinching five of the seven high-profile parliamentary seats while Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) retained its traditional strongholds in Nyanza and the Coast while the United Opposition parties came trailing behind.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) declared all results for the one Senate seat and six National Assembly constituencies by Friday morning, with tallying for 17 County Assembly wards largely complete.
In one of the most closely watched contests, UDA also wrested Mbeere North from the Democratic Party of Kenya in a nail-biting race decided by just 494 votes.
Leonard “Leo” Wa Muthende edged out Newton Kariuki “Karish” 15,802 to 15,308. The party further solidified its grip on North Eastern with a landslide in Banissa (Mandera), where Ahmed Maalim Hassan polled 10,431 votes, and extended its western Kenya footprint by taking Malava (Kakamega) from DAP-K.
In the closely watched Malava Constituency, UDA’s David Ndakwa edged out DAP-K’s Seth Panyako by 1,354 votes, polling 21,564 against 20,210 in a race with eight candidates. IEBC Returning Officer Abdalla Salim declared Ndakwa the winner on Friday morning, prompting jubilation among Kenya Kwanza supporters.
In Nyamira County, Jackson Mogusu of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) emerged victorious in the Nyansiongo Ward by-election with 2,759 votes, narrowly defeating Kevin Maranga of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), who received 2,687 votes.
Mandera County saw Ahmed Maalim Hassan of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) win the Banisa Ward by-election, obtaining 10,431 votes.
His closest rival, Nurdin Maalim Mohamed of UPA, secured 1,240 votes.
In Kasipul, Boyd Were Ongondo of ODM Party emerging victorious outperforming the Independent candidate Philip Aroko, who had mounted a strong campaign throughout the contest garnering 16,819 and 8,476 votes respectively.
Machakos County remained a Wiper Democratic Front stronghold after Antony Kisoi won the Mumbuni North Ward with 3,849 votes.
He outpaced Harrison Wambua of the Maendeleo Chap Chap (MCC) Party, who got 2,766 votes, while UDA’s Misi Mutua finished third with 809 votes. Kisoi’s win underscores Wiper’s enduring influence in the region.
In Samburu, Isabella Leshimpiro of UDA was declared the winner in Angata Nanyekie Ward, collecting 1,239 votes.
Narok County’s Narok Town Ward by-election went to Douglas Twala Masikonde of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), who earned 6,007 votes, defeating Robert Kanyinke Ole Kudate of UDA with 4,479 votes.
The seat was previously held by Lukas Kudate, whose death in February turned the by-election into a high-profile contest.
Kajiado County’s Purko Ward by-election ended with UDA’s Amos Mpusia winning 2,805 votes. Simon Sanare Saidimu of DCP followed with 1,522 votes, and Daniel Naikuni of ODM came third with 298 votes.
With 3,900 of the 4,848 registered voters casting ballots, turnout reached 80.5 per cent.
Mpusia thanked supporters and rivals alike, saying, “I also thank my competitors for a peaceful campaign, and I also want to thank the UDA leaders, as this win means Purko is still yellow and a Tutam zone. I want to thank everyone, and I promise to work with my opponents to empower the people of Purko ward.”
In Nairobi, DCP’s David Wanyoike Warui won Kariobangi North Ward with 2,282 votes. Independent candidate Kimanzi John Katua garnered 1,956 votes, while ODM’s Michael Ouma Majua received 1,351 votes.
Njoka Julius Maina of UDA and Peter Kariuki of Kanu garnered 955 and 220 votes, respectively. Warui called for unity, stating, “Politics is not enmity; life must continue. I ask my rivals to come and let us work together.”
Generally, the voter turnout was dismally low across the country, hovering below 40 per cent in most areas and dipping to single digits in parts of Mandera and Siaya.
