New faces win big in by-elections as god fathers lose ground

It was a mixed bag of fortunes for politicians who had invested heavily in the just-concluded by-elections, as winners and their supporters burst into celebrations, while losers disappeared from the public eye as they began ruing their missed opportunity.

To some, there were several positives to pick from the poll, while others quickly moved to pledge allegiance to their elected competitors after a bruising contest.

Still, some of the godfathers who failed to live up to their billing and deliver their bosses the gift of elective seats in their backyards were back to the drawing board.

In Kasipul, 27-year-old Boyd Were defied the odds that had stuck up against him to become the youngest MP in the Nyanza region. Although he had enjoyed the power that comes with State backing as well as a clearly planned campaign strategy by the ODM party, his win was far from guaranteed.

Boyd, the son of former Kasipul MP Ong’ondo Were, bagged 16,819 votes.

In the results declared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC)’s  Returning Officer for the constituency, Rebecca Abwaku, Were was followed by an Independent candidate, Philip Nashon Aroko, who garnered 8,476 votes.

Omondi Collins Okeyo of Movement for Democracy and Growth (MDG) took the third position with 4,796 votes.

Were promised to serve all the people of Kasipul regardless of their differences which occurred before the election.

“The people of Kasipul have done their part by electing me as their MP. I am going to serve all of them regardless of the positions they took during campaigns,” Were said.

ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga challenged Were to demonstrate his ability to serve the people of Kasipul and violence that had tainted the reputation of the constituency.

In the Malava parliamentary by-election that attracted a lot of political attention and tension, the race attracted nine candidates, pitting the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate David Ndakwa, under the Kenya Kwanza coalition, against DAP-K’s Seth Panyako of the United Opposition coalition.

As a contest has a winner and a loser, Ndakwa emerged the winner, polishing his political career from a two-term Member of County Assembly representing the people of West Kabras to becoming a Member of Parliament in his first attempt.

Ndakwa garnered 21,564 votes, flooring Panyako, who managed to get 20,210.

The MP elect will now serve the people of Malava for the next one and a half years, succeeding the late MP Malulu Injendi, who died in February this year.

Ndakwa now becomes the seventh MP for Malava and the first lawmaker to be elected under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

Ndakwa was born in Shikutse village, West Kabras, in 1973 and sat his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education in 1987 at Kalenda Primary School, before proceeding to Samitsi Secondary School for his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education in 1991.

He holds a degree in Information Science from Moi University and a diploma in Information Studies from the University of Nairobi. He served as Managing Director of Pavement Publishers from 2000 to 2017.

The by-election has served as a major blow to the political life of Panyako, becoming the biggest loser.

This is Panyako’s second stab at the Malava seat without success. In 2022, he contested for the seat under the UDA party and lost to the late MP Malulu, where he got 20,000 votes while Malulu got 22,000.

In the Kisa East ward by-election in Khwisero Constituency, Kakamega County, the little-known boda boda operator Aduda Okwiri of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) was the biggest winner after winning the seat as its new Member of County Assembly.

The by-election was held to fill the seat left vacant following the tragic death of former MCA Stephen Maloba, who was stabbed during a political rally in 2023 organised by Khwisero MP Christopher Aseka.

Okwiri garnered 1,952 votes, trouncing his closest challenger, Joel Ongoro of MDG, who got 1,541 votes, while Abraham Ayaya of DAP-K came in third with 944 votes.

In the Chwele/Kabuchai ward by-election in Kabuchai constituency, Kakamega County, Eric Wekesa (Independent) secured a sweet win after garnering 6,162 votes, defeating FORD-Kenya's Vincent Maunda, who secured 2,765. 

In Magarini, ODM candidate Harrison Kombe garnered 17,909 votes to win the seat in a major boost to the ODM party.

Meanwhile, Wiper Patriotic Front candidate Nzai Kombe received 58 votes, while Gakahu Wahito of Kenya Moja secured 12 votes, and the Kenya Social Congress aspirant Masha Sulubu came last with 10 votes.

“This is a win in honour of our founding leader, Raila Odinga, whose life’s work lit the path we proudly walk today. His legacy lives in every victory for the people. Every promise we kept and every step we take towards justice and dignity for all under the leadership of our new leader, Oburu,” said Governor Abdulswamad Nassir.

In Ugunja, ODM's Moses Omondi secured a decisive victory in Thursday’s by-election marked by low voter turnout.

Returning Officer Denis Omari declared Omondi the winner after he garnered 9,447 votes, trouncing his closest rival, Orodi Odhiambo of Wiper party, who managed 1,819 votes.

According to IEBC, Ugunja has 60,114 registered voters, but only 15,017 cast their votes, translating to a 24.98 per cent turnout, among the lowest in recent polls in Siaya County.

Omondi becomes the second Member of Parliament for Ugunja since the constituency was created ahead of the 2013 General Election. He takes over from former MP Opiyo Wandayi, who was appointed to the Cabinet.

Taking over from a lawmaker renowned for being very vocal in Parliament, Omondi promised to give his all in serving the people of Ugunja. “I might not fully fit into my predecessor’s shoes, but I will try my best to ensure that Ugunja moves forward in terms of development,” he said.

Yesterday, President Ruto was all smiles as he claimed his troops had delivered a huge victory for his administration with the by-election wins.

Addressing a crowd that turned up today to witness the launch of the Rironi-Nakuru-Mau Summit highway at Kamandura, Kiambu County, Dr Ruto told off his critics, saying the people have spoken through the results of the mini-poll conducted in various parts of the country.

Report by Isaiah Gwengi, James Omoro, Benard Lusigi, Jackline Inyanji, Patrick Beja, Marion Kithi and Steve Mkawale