Allegations of State Interference

The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) has formally accused state actors of orchestrating a plot to rig the upcoming Narok Town Ward by-election scheduled for Thursday, November 27, 2025. In letters dispatched to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the Inspector General of the National Police Service on Tuesday, November 25, DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua detailed what he termed an “elaborate plan” to ensure victory for the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate.

The allegations follow a chaotic final day of campaigning on Monday, November 24, where a DCP rally in Narok town was dispersed by police using teargas. Mr. Gachagua’s convoy was reportedly blocked by police roadblocks, forcing him to use alternative village routes to access the town. The DCP leader has accused the police of providing cover for state-sponsored militia who allegedly attacked his supporters with clubs and whips. In his communication with Inspector General Douglas Kanja, Gachagua called for the IG’s resignation, citing a failure to control the police service and ensure impartiality.

The DCP’s letter to the IEBC, addressed to Chairperson Erastus Ethekon, claims the rigging plot involves intimidating party agents, using “goons” to prevent DCP supporters from accessing polling stations, and pressuring the ward’s Returning Officer to declare the UDA candidate as the winner regardless of the actual vote count. As of Wednesday, November 26, neither the National Police Service nor the UDA Party had issued a formal public response to these specific allegations. The IEBC has maintained a public stance of commitment to free and fair elections across the 24 by-elections scheduled for November 27, confirming that all logistical preparations, including the distribution of ballot materials, are complete.

A High-Stakes Local Contest

The by-election was necessitated by the passing of the area's Member of County Assembly (MCA), Lukas Kudate, in February 2024. The contest has since morphed into a significant political battleground, widely seen as a litmus test for the political influence of President William Ruto’s UDA and Mr. Gachagua’s newly-formed DCP ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The two main contenders are Douglas Masikonde of the DCP and Robert Kanyinke Ole Kudate, the late MCA's eldest son, who is running on the UDA ticket. UDA has deployed significant resources to the ward, with senior party figures, including Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu, leading the campaign. Their strategy has focused on consolidating support through clan endorsements, notably from the Ilmakesen clan, and framing Mr. Kudate's candidacy as a continuation of his father's legacy. Several other aspirants, including the late MCA's stepmother, have stepped down in his favour.

On the other side, Mr. Masikonde is running on a platform of transparency and youth empowerment and has emerged as the joint candidate for the broader opposition coalition, with parties such as the Wiper Democratic Movement withdrawing their candidates to support him. The race also features Jubilee Party candidate Joshua Ole Kaputah, who initially withdrew to support the UDA candidate but later rescinded his decision.

Implications for Kenyan Democracy

The events in Narok raise significant concerns about political intolerance and the misuse of state security apparatus during elections. The IEBC's Electoral Code of Conduct, which all candidates subscribe to, explicitly prohibits violence, intimidation, and the use of public resources for campaigns. The commission's Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee has the authority to impose fines or disqualify candidates found in breach of these rules, as noted in warnings issued during other concurrent by-elections.

The heated contest is also layered with local political dynamics. Governor Ntutu's prominent role in the UDA campaign has drawn criticism from his political rivals. Moitalel Ole Kenta, who ran against Ntutu for the governorship in 2022, has publicly accused the governor of being behind the violent disruptions at the DCP rally. This local rivalry, intertwined with the national power struggle between the President and his former deputy, has turned the Narok Town Ward into a volatile political hotspot. The conduct of the security forces and the electoral commission on polling day will be under intense scrutiny, with the outcome likely to have repercussions on the political landscape far beyond Narok County.