A day of voting in Nyamira County descended into chaos on Thursday, as by-elections in three wards were rocked by shocking violence that saw machete-wielding gangs, torched vehicles, and running battles between rival supporters. The unrest, concentrated heavily in Nyansiongo ward, left several people injured and saw major transport routes paralysed, casting a dark shadow over the democratic process.

The by-elections—held in Nyansiongo, Ekerenyo, and Nyamaiya wards—were meant to fill vacant county assembly seats but instead became a flashpoint for intense political rivalries. For many residents, the violence was not just a political issue but a direct threat to their safety and livelihoods, as the main Kisii-Kericho highway was blocked for hours at Metamaywa Centre by youths armed with rocks and tree branches. This disruption directly impacts the flow of goods and people, affecting everything from market business to daily commutes.

Epicentre of Chaos: Nyansiongo Ward

The most severe violence was reported in Nyansiongo, the home turf of former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, turning the local poll into a high-stakes contest. Tensions boiled over at Tindereti Primary School polling station where a gang wielding machetes was reported, and a Probox vehicle belonging to a supporter of United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Dennis Kebaso was set ablaze. In the ensuing fracas, supporters of United Progressive Alliance (UPA) candidate Kevin Maranga were reportedly shot at with arrows, leaving three people with minor injuries.

Allegations swirled around the presence of National Assembly Majority Leader Sylvanus Osoro, who was reportedly seen moving with a group of youths. His attempts to access Menyenya and Gesebei polling stations were met with fierce resistance from locals who accused him of attempting to interfere with the vote, a claim that remains unverified. A vehicle in Osoro's convoy was damaged during the confrontation, and police were forced to fire shots in the air to disperse crowds and clear the barricaded highway. Osoro, who was leading the UDA campaigns, has not publicly commented on the allegations.

Violence Spreads Across the County

The violence was not contained to one ward. In Nyamaiya, retired school principal Daniel Ong'era was critically injured after being attacked by youths with crude weapons; he is now recovering and out of danger at Nyamira County Referral Hospital. The wife of the late MCA whose seat was being contested was also assaulted and her vehicle destroyed. In Ekerenyo ward, supporters of the UDA party confronted a politician they accused of carrying wooden batons, suspecting they were intended for violence.

Local leaders expressed their dismay at the turn of events. "This was unnecessary. People are shocked by the level of violence witnessed in an otherwise peaceful population," noted Borabu MP Patrick Osero, who appealed for calm at the Metamaywa blockade.

Condemnation and Election Results

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) strongly condemned the violence, calling the involvement of political figures "unlawful, irresponsible, and unacceptable." In a statement, the commission urged the National Police Service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to probe all reported incidents and hold perpetrators accountable.

Despite the widespread disruptions, the IEBC proceeded with the vote count and announced the winners:

• Nyansiongo Ward: Jackson Mogusu of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) won with 2,759 votes, narrowly beating UPA's Kevin Maranga who garnered 2,687 votes.
• Nyamaiya Ward: Christopher Osiemo of UPA secured a decisive victory with 4,790 votes against 1,357 for UDA's Thomas Nyandieka.
• Ekerenyo Ward: UPA's Jeremiah Ongaro won with 3,507 votes, defeating UDA's Francis Amenya who received 2,292 votes.

The violence in Nyamira serves as a disturbing preview of the high tensions characterising local politics. As the winners are declared, the scars of the chaotic election day remain, leaving residents and leaders to ponder the future of peaceful democracy in the region.