A profound sense of civic duty drew hundreds of voters back to Banisa last week, but the town wasn't ready. In a stark display of democratic will overpowering infrastructural reality, many who travelled from as far as Busia found themselves without a place to sleep ahead of the November 27th parliamentary by-election.

This influx of citizens, determined to elect their first representative in over two years, highlights a critical challenge for devolved governance: how to support a population that is often mobile in its search for work and pasture. The by-election was called to fill the seat left vacant after the death of MP Kullow Maalim Hassan in March 2023.

With guest houses and lodgings completely overwhelmed, the community adapted. Churches opened their doors, the local police station offered refuge, and some voters, like Harun Abdullahi who came from Lulis, simply bought a mattress and slept at the polling centre where they were registered. “I came from Lulis and spent the night at Banisa Primary School because that is where I am registered to vote. I could not find a room in town,” Abdullahi noted.

A Town Stretched to Its Limits

The accommodation crisis wasn't limited to voters. Journalists covering the poll from Nairobi, over 1,000 kilometres away, also found themselves seeking unconventional lodging. A Nation Media Group team was housed by Pastor Ambrose Songa of the Banisa International Church, while the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation crew found space at the Banisa Police Station.

This situation casts a spotlight on the broader economic landscape of Banisa. The lack of basic lodging facilities points to deeper developmental hurdles that directly impact the residents' ability to attract investment or even host significant events. For the average resident, this infrastructure deficit means fewer jobs and a tougher path to economic stability.

Despite the logistical challenges, security officials had assured the public of a peaceful process. Mandera County Commissioner James Chacha noted that campaigns had been calm, a contrast to violent scenes witnessed in other by-elections across the country. However, some reports did mention isolated clashes in Banisa on polling day.

The Weight of a Single Vote

The determination of voters to participate, even at great personal cost, underscores the high stakes. The constituency had been without parliamentary representation for a prolonged period, stalling development projects funded by the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF). This fund is crucial for financing grassroots projects in education, security, and water access—the very lifelines of a community.

The election, however, saw a low voter turnout, which an IEBC commissioner attributed to two key factors:

• The persistent drought that has forced many pastoralist families to move in search of greener pastures.
• A general trend of lower participation typically seen in by-elections compared to general elections.

Ultimately, Ahmed Maalim Hassan of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) won the seat, succeeding his late brother. His victory followed a court case that unsuccessfully sought to bar him over allegations of dual citizenship. In his victory speech, the new MP-elect acknowledged the long wait, promising to accelerate development to compensate for the lost time. “I will move as fast as possible to recover everything we lost in those three years,” he pledged.

As Banisa's new representative prepares to take his seat, the image of his constituents sleeping on floors to elect him serves as a powerful mandate. Their journey wasn't just to a polling station; it was a demand for presence, for development, and for a future where their hometown can finally accommodate their hopes.