Voting is underway across Kenya in 24 critical by-elections, but the process has been marred by serious allegations of a coordinated rigging plot. On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, leaders of the United Opposition Alliance claimed to have uncovered a scheme involving 30,000 pre-marked ballot papers dispatched to key battleground constituencies, including Magarini, Malava, and Mbeere North. The allegations have heightened political tensions and placed the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) under intense scrutiny as it conducts its first major electoral exercise since its reconstitution.

The by-elections, held on Thursday, November 27, 2025, are to fill vacancies for one senator in Baringo County, six members of the National Assembly, and 17 Members of County Assembly (MCAs) across 14 counties. These polls are widely seen as a litmus test for the country's electoral preparedness and a high-stakes contest between President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the opposition.

Allegations of Pre-Marked Ballots and State Interference

In a joint press conference in Nairobi, Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, alongside DCP Leader Rigathi Gachagua and DAP-K's Eugene Wamalwa, detailed the rigging claims. Musyoka asserted that 820,000 ballot papers were printed with improper serialization, creating a loophole for ballot stuffing. "We are further aware that 30,000 pre-marked ballots have already been dispatched to the targeted battleground areas...through compromised presiding officers," Musyoka stated on Wednesday.

Gachagua specified that 15,000 of these ballots were allegedly sent to Mbeere North and another 10,000 to Malava. The opposition leaders also accused state officers of using public resources to campaign for government-aligned candidates, a violation of electoral laws. Gachagua further claimed there was a plan to orchestrate chaos at polling stations to provide cover for inserting the illegal ballots.

These accusations follow earlier claims by Gachagua on Sunday, November 24, that IEBC Vice Chairperson Fahima Araphat Abdalla was attempting to interfere in the Magarini by-election by handpicking polling officials.

IEBC and Security Agencies Respond

The IEBC has firmly denied the allegations while acknowledging their gravity. In a statement on Tuesday, November 25, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon assured the public that the commission is committed to a free, fair, and transparent process. "The allegations presented...are weighty and deserve the attention of the Commission," Ethekon said, reaffirming that institutional safeguards are in place to protect the integrity of the vote. He dismissed the ballot-stuffing claims as "wild allegations" and insisted the commission remains impartial. Ethekon also confirmed that the list of poll officials had been shared with all political parties on November 14 for scrutiny, and no concerns were raised at the time.

The commission has warned its staff that anyone caught colluding with politicians or engaging in irregularities will face immediate arrest and prosecution. To manage rising tensions, especially in hotly contested areas like Kasipul, Mbeere North, and Malava, the National Police Service has deployed both uniformed and plainclothes officers to all 22 electoral areas. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki issued a stern warning that any individual attempting to disrupt the polls would face the "full wrath of the law."

A Test for Kenya's Democracy

The vacancies for these by-elections arose from various causes, including deaths, court nullifications, and the appointment of incumbents to state positions. The contests in constituencies like Ugunja, Magarini, and Malava are seen as crucial political battles. The polls are the first major undertaking for the new IEBC, led by Chairperson Ethekon, who assumed office in July 2025. Political analysts note that the commission's handling of these elections will significantly impact public confidence ahead of the 2027 General Election. The charged atmosphere, marked by claims of voter bribery and intimidation, underscores the deep-seated mistrust that has historically plagued Kenya's electoral processes. As voting proceeds, all eyes are on the IEBC to deliver a credible outcome and demonstrate its independence from political influence.