Troubling scenes from the recent by-elections have left many Kenyans questioning the safety and fairness of the electoral process. What should have been a peaceful democratic exercise instead turned into a night filled with fear, confusion and unanswered questions. Reports from different parts of the country show a worrying picture of violence, intimidation and direct attacks on election officials, all of which are firmly prohibited under Kenyan election law.
In Narok, the situation took a dangerous turn shortly after polling stations closed. Several IEBC officials who were wrapping up their duties were suddenly confronted by masked men.
These attackers, armed with clubs and pistols, targeted the officials, assaulted them and ran off with personal belongings, including mobile phones.
They also destroyed election materials, causing chaos and panic at the polling centre.
The full extent of the incident became clear when five presiding officers went missing, throwing the Masai Mara tallying centre into uncertainty. The tallying process had to be delayed as senior officials, including returning officer Kuria Mbugua, waited anxiously for any information about their colleagues. Hours later, it was confirmed that the missing officers had been attacked and were forced to scatter in different directions to save their lives.
One of the officials, who spoke on Citizen TV under strict anonymity, described the terrifying moments when hooded men stormed in while firing shots in the air.
He said the sudden commotion made it impossible to know where to run. In the confusion, the attackers accused the officials of interfering with votes cast for their preferred candidate.
The officer recalled being hit on the leg with a club as the attackers demanded that he surrender the election equipment.
He eventually managed to escape into a nearby plantation, while others hid wherever they could, including in a pit latrine.
When tallying later resumed, returning officer Kuria Mbugua explained that the destroyed materials would not change the overall outcome, even if all the affected votes were added to the first runner-up.
Despite this assurance, the events of the night left deep concerns about the vulnerability of IEBC officials in volatile areas.
But it was not only the officers who suffered. Ordinary voters also found themselves caught in the violence.
In Mbeere North, a voter named James Muriithi described how people suddenly started running as gunshots rang out.
In the mayhem, a plainclothes police officer fired a warning shot to try and disperse a chaotic crowd. Unfortunately, Muriithi, who had taken shelter in a homestead, was struck by a stray bullet.
He recalled feeling a chilling sensation on his shoulder before realising he had been hit.
Kenyan law clearly forbids any form of violence, intimidation or obstruction targeting IEBC officials or voters.
The Elections Act and the Election Offences Act outline penalties that include heavy fines and imprisonment for anyone found guilty of such actions. Yet the incidents witnessed during these by-elections show that enforcement remains a major challenge.
The involvement of individuals suspected to be security officers has made the situation even more worrying. With the 2027 General Election approaching, these events have sparked fresh fears about whether electoral officials and voters will be adequately protected.
The country now faces an urgent need to address these threats to restore confidence in the voting process and ensure that future elections are free, fair and safe for all.
