A bitter political feud in Narok erupted into explosive allegations of electoral sabotage on Thursday, with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua claiming government-backed goons set fire to ballot boxes and voting kits to prevent a loss. The dramatic accusation came just before official results confirmed his party's candidate, Douglas Masikonde, had won the contentious by-election.

The high-stakes contest, a bellwether for the nation's political climate, saw Masikonde of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) clinch victory with 5,997 votes. He defeated Robert Kanyinke Ole Kudate of the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), who garnered 4,479 votes. The result handed Gachagua a significant political win but has been overshadowed by the serious allegations of state-sponsored interference.

“After losing the Narok Township Ward by-elections, the government has sent goons and police to burn the ballot boxes and KIEMS kits, but it is too little, too late,” Gachagua asserted in a statement released on Thursday evening, November 27, 2025. He questioned the desperation of his political rivals in the face of defeat.

A Contest Marred by Violence

The accusations did not emerge from a vacuum. The run-up to the vote was fraught with tension, culminating in chaotic scenes earlier in the week when police used teargas to disperse Gachagua's final campaign rally. The DCP leader had formally accused security forces of mounting illegal roadblocks to obstruct his campaign, alleging a coordinated plot to intimidate his supporters.

While details of the alleged arson remain scarce and lack independent verification, the broader by-elections across 22 electoral areas were punctuated by violence. In Kasipul, Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma was injured in a confrontation, while other areas reported clashes and voter intimidation. Siaya Governor James Orengo warned of a dangerous trend towards the "militarization and goonification of elections."

Official Denials and Calls for Calm

In the face of these claims, state agencies have maintained a defensive posture. Prior to the vote, the National Police Service (NPS) had assured the public of its neutrality and professionalism, warning that any individual inciting violence, regardless of political standing, would face the “full force of the law.” Police Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga urged political leaders to refrain from making statements that could undermine public confidence in institutions.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has also pushed back against widespread allegations of rigging. While its chairperson, Erastus Ethekon, condemned the isolated incidents of violence, the commission dismissed claims of ballot stuffing as “misleading and inaccurate,” insisting its procedures make such malpractice “practically impossible.” The IEBC has yet to issue a specific statement on the alleged destruction of materials in Narok.

With Masikonde's victory now official, the focus shifts to whether these grave allegations will be formally investigated. For the residents of Narok, the win may bring a new local leader, but the unresolved claims of interference leave a lingering question about the price of a vote and the health of Kenya's democracy.