National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has congratulated the winners of the November 27 by-elections, urging them to transcend party lines and foster national cohesion. His appeal comes after a day of voting across 22 electoral areas that, while largely peaceful, was punctuated by worrying incidents of violence and voter apathy, testing the nation's political fabric.

The mini-polls were a crucial barometer of the country's political temperature, filling vacancies left by deaths, court nullifications, and cabinet appointments. For ordinary Kenyans, these elections were a chance to elect leaders who can address pressing local needs, from infrastructure to security. The outcomes now shift the political calculus in several key regions, directly impacting service delivery and the balance of power ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Ruling Party Makes Inroads

President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) demonstrated its growing influence by capturing the hotly contested Malava and Mbeere North parliamentary seats, the Banisa constituency seat, and the Baringo County senatorial seat. The party had already secured two Member of County Assembly (MCA) seats in Tembelio and Metkei wards unopposed.

In Malava, Kakamega County, UDA's David Ndakwa was declared the winner, a significant victory in a region considered a political battleground. The Mbeere North race saw UDA's Leonard Muriuki Wamuthende narrowly beat his rival in a contest viewed as a test of political dominance in the Mt. Kenya region. UDA's Ahmed Maalim Hassan also clinched the Banissa constituency seat in Mandera County.

ODM Retains Strongholds

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) solidified its grip on its traditional strongholds. In Kasipul, Boyd Were was declared the winner, retaining the seat for the party. Moses Omondi Okoth of ODM also secured a decisive victory in the Ugunja constituency by-election with 9,437 votes. However, the party lost the Magarini seat, where its candidate Harrison Kombe was unsuccessful in his bid to reclaim the position after his 2022 win was nullified by the courts.

Mixed Bag for Other Parties

The by-elections produced a mixed set of results for other political outfits, indicating a dynamic and shifting political landscape at the grassroots level. Notable victories include:

• Chwele/Kabuchai Ward: Independent candidate Erick Wekesa clinched the seat.
• Mumbuni North Ward: Wiper Party's Anthony Kisoi was declared the winner.
• Narok Town Ward: Douglas Masikonde of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) won the seat.
• Kariobangi North Ward: DCP's David Warui emerged victorious.
• Nyamaiya Ward: The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) candidate secured the win.

A Test for the New IEBC

These by-elections were the first major undertaking for the newly constituted Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). The commission faced challenges, including logistical delays and allegations of electoral malpractices in some areas. Incidents of violence were reported in Kasipul and Malava, leading to arrests and condemnation from leaders and the IEBC itself. The low voter turnout across most of the 22 electoral areas also raises questions about voter engagement and faith in the electoral process.

As the dust settles, Speaker Wetang'ula's call for the newly elected leaders to prioritize national interests over partisan politics resonates deeply. "Let us now focus on uniting our people and working towards a common goal of a prosperous and cohesive Kenya," he noted. The ability of these new leaders to deliver on their campaign promises will be the ultimate measure of their success and will determine whether they can translate their electoral victories into tangible benefits for the citizens they now represent.