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IEBC chairman Erastus Ethekon said the commission was working closely with security agencies to address disturbances and ensure order is restored swiftly in areas where incidents were recorded.
In Malava Constituency, Kakamega County, tensions rose after Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa accused United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate David Ndakwa of orchestrating an attack on DAP-K aspirant Seth Panyako. Wamalwa also alleged attempts to obstruct police operations at certain polling stations.
Kenga urged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the security team overseeing the poll to intervene and ensure that every accredited agent is allowed to work without interruption. He said this would help protect the integrity of a by-election that has drawn wide attention across the country.
The National Police Service (NPS) said operations began smoothly, with hundreds of officers deployed to the 22 polling centres to maintain order. Additional personnel were dispatched from areas not holding elections to reinforce security in key locations.
The elections, covering National Assembly, Senate, and County Assembly seats, are taking place in 22 constituencies and wards, drawing attention from security agencies, observers, and the public.
In a detailed statement on Wednesday, KNCHR chairperson Claris Ogangah said the Commission had documented worrying cases of aggression and interference during campaigns for Senatorial, National Assembly and County Assembly seats. She noted that the incidents not only endangered candidates and supporters but also threatened the rights that protect Kenya’s democratic space.
According to the commission, the goal is to ensure every voter is able to cast their ballot in a calm and orderly setting. The IEBC said the National Police Service has deployed enough personnel not only to man the polling centres but also to guard tallying points and other key locations within the constituencies holding the by-elections.
The assurance comes ahead of Thursday's by-elections in 24 electoral units countrywide, which have drawn national attention amid recent incidents of political clashes in some regions, with the united opposition claiming that the police officers who will not be in uniform will be state-sponsored goons.
Vocal Africa urged the National Police Service to increase security in volatile areas, including Kasipul and Mbeere North, where violent incidents have been reported in recent weeks.
The statement comes in response to a letter from Democracy for the Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua, dated November 24, 2025. Gachagua had alleged that a senior IEBC officer was obstructing or influencing the by-election process. IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon confirmed the letter had been received and the issues thoroughly noted.
Commissioner Hassan Noor Hassan supervised the release of ballot papers and statutory forms from the warehouse, noting that the teams handling the consignments had been briefed and equipped for the task. He said the commission had concluded all internal arrangements and was now focused on getting the materials to the designated regions in good time.
The commission also called on the public to avoid circulating misinformation on social media that could affect the registration process. The current Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, which resumed on September 29, 2025, deliberately excludes the 24 electoral areas holding by-elections to maintain the focus on the integrity of the registration.