NYAMIRA, Kenya - Residents in three Nyamira County wards—Nyamaiya, Ekerenyo, and Nyansiongo—are participating in by-elections today, Thursday, November 27, 2025, to elect new Members of the County Assembly (MCAs). The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) confirmed that polls opened at 6:00 AM EAT and are expected to close at 5:00 PM EAT, with a total of 27 candidates vying for the vacant seats, nine in each ward.

Early reports from various polling stations, including Egesieri Primary School in Nyamaiya, indicate a steady and smooth voting process under the supervision of police officers. The by-elections are a significant political event for the county, testing the influence of major national parties such as President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the opposition's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), alongside other formations like the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and the Wiper Patriotic Front.

The Contests and Their Origins

Each of the three by-elections was necessitated by different circumstances, creating a unique political landscape in each ward.

In Nyamaiya Ward, the vacancy arose following the tragic death of MCA Elijah Osiemo in a road accident in August 2023. Osiemo, who was also the County Assembly Majority Leader, was elected on a UPA ticket. The race to succeed him has attracted a diverse field of candidates, including Thomas Nyandieka of UDA, a director at the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), and Chris Osiemo of UPA. Other notable candidates include Evans Nyambati (DCP), Saul Nyanga Twabe (DNA), Richard Monyancha (Chama Cha KAZI), and Nyangaresi Daniel Amoro (UPIA).

The Ekerenyo Ward seat became vacant after its MCA, Thaddeus Nyabaro, resigned to successfully contest for the Nyamira County Assembly Speaker position in December 2024. This by-election is shaping up to be a direct contest between the ruling UDA party, which has fielded Francis Amenya Ndubi, and opposition-allied parties. The UPA has nominated Shem Nyanumba Makori for the seat. The campaign has been intense, with senior UDA figures, including Majority Whip Silvanus Osoro, campaigning heavily for Ndubi.

In Nyansiongo Ward, the by-election was ordered by the courts after a successful petition nullified the 2022 election of Denis Kebaso, who had won on a Jubilee Party ticket. The petition was filed by Kevin Omwancha Maranga. In a notable political shift, Kebaso is re-contesting the seat under the UDA party banner. This race has garnered significant attention, partly because Nyansiongo is the home area of former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang'i, who has been actively campaigning for opposition-allied candidates. The high stakes have led to a tense campaign environment, with reports of chaos and road blockades on polling day, allegedly linked to attempts by some politicians to access polling stations.

National Implications and Local Dynamics

These by-elections are more than just a local affair; they are widely viewed as a microcosm of the national political competition between President Ruto's Kenya Kwanza coalition and the opposition. The heavy deployment of resources and high-profile politicians, particularly in Nyansiongo, underscores the desire of national parties to assert their dominance in the Gusii region. Dr. Matiang'i's active involvement has turned the Nyansiongo contest into a proxy battle, with the former CS stating the contest is "between me and the one in power."

Local issues such as infrastructure, agriculture—particularly tea farming—and youth employment have been central to the campaigns. However, the contests are also heavily influenced by clan dynamics and the personal track records of the candidates. The outcomes will likely serve as a barometer of the political mood in Nyamira County and could signal potential realignments ahead of the 2027 General Election. Election officials and security agencies remain on high alert to ensure the process concludes peacefully and fairly, with vote counting set to begin shortly after the polls close.