Electoral Integrity Under Scrutiny

NAIROBI – With less than a week to the highly anticipated November 27 by-elections, the political opposition has levelled serious allegations of a systematic plot to rig the polls through voter bribery, claiming the governing Kenya Kwanza coalition is orchestrating the scheme. Wiper Democratic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka, during a press briefing on Thursday, November 20, alleged the existence of a “desperate” plan to offer voters up to KSh 5,000 to photograph their marked ballot papers as proof of their support for government-allied candidates.

“We have credible information that voters are being offered up to KSh 5,000 to take photos of their votes, ensuring support for certain candidates,” Musyoka stated, warning that such actions severely undermine the secrecy and integrity of the ballot. The opposition has called for heightened vigilance from the public and election monitors, framing the upcoming polls as a critical test for Kenya's democratic processes ahead of the 2027 General Election.

IEBC and Government Rebuttal

In response, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has moved to quell the rising political temperatures, dismissing the allegations of a premeditated rigging plot. IEBC Chief Executive Officer Marjan Hussein Marjan, speaking on Thursday, November 20, at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport while receiving the final batch of ballot papers, assured the nation of the commission's commitment to a transparent and credible process. “IEBC is run by very competent commissioners and a very competent secretariat. We have confidence that the elections will be free and fair. Please have faith in your commission,” Marjan urged. He explicitly stated that voter bribery is a criminal offense and that the commission's security systems are on high alert to deal with any such malpractices.

Senior figures within the Kenya Kwanza administration have also refuted the claims. Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, whose former Mbeere North seat is one of the contested positions, dismissed the opposition's allegations as “propaganda born of fear of defeat.” Similarly, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has previously characterized the opposition's general election rigging claims as “laughable” and a “clear sign of panic,” advising them to cease peddling falsehoods and prepare for the electoral contest.

High-Stakes Electoral Contests

The by-elections, scheduled for Thursday, November 27, 2025, will be held in 24 electoral areas, including a senatorial seat in Baringo County, six National Assembly seats, and 17 Members of County Assembly (MCA) wards across the country. The parliamentary seats up for grabs are in Banissa, Kasipul, Magarini, Malava, Mbeere North, and Ugunja constituencies. These vacancies have arisen from various circumstances, including deaths, court nullifications, and appointments of incumbents to state positions.

The IEBC has confirmed its preparedness, stating the exercise will cost the taxpayer an estimated KSh 700 million. IEBC Commissioner Ann Nderitu explained on November 20 that the significant budget covers logistics, procurement of secure election materials printed in Greece, and the deployment of personnel, including airlifting ballots to remote or insecure areas like Banisa. The commission has finalized the registration of 181 candidates for the various seats and has urged all participants to adhere strictly to the Electoral Code of Conduct during the official campaign period, which concludes at 6:00 p.m. EAT on Monday, November 24.

Legal Framework and Historical Context

The allegations of voter bribery bring into focus Kenya's Election Offences Act, 2016. The Act explicitly criminalizes bribery, defining it as giving, offering, or promising money or any valuable inducement to influence a voter. A conviction for this offense carries a hefty penalty: a fine not exceeding KSh 2 million, imprisonment for a term not exceeding six years, or both. Furthermore, the IEBC has the authority to disqualify candidates or parties found engaging in such malpractices.

Voter bribery and claims of rigging are not new phenomena in Kenyan elections, often leading to disputes and, in some cases, violence. The intense political rhetoric, particularly in battleground areas like Mbeere North and Kasipul—where recent clashes have tragically resulted in fatalities—highlights the critical need for adherence to electoral laws. Civil society groups and election observers have emphasized that these by-elections serve as a significant stress test for Kenya's electoral ecosystem and the new commission's capacity to manage a credible process.