Trans-Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale have raised serious concerns over the November 27 Malava Constituency by-elections, alleging the deployment of government resources in a manner that compromised the fairness of the vote.
Speaking at a press briefing on November 28, 2025, Governor Natembeya said the opposition had put up a strong challenge, but warned that such manipulation would not be tolerated in the 2027 general elections.
“Come 2027, Western Kenya will not be available for these kinds of games,” Natembeya said to the electorate in the region. “Your leaders love you, and we will protect your choice.”
The governor claimed the security personnel were deployed on election day in such a manner that they influenced voters, as opposed to protecting them.
“Most alarming was the scale of voter bribery conducted openly and with impunity. Money flowed freely, attempting to replace the people’s will with financial coercion,” said Natembeya.
He said such actions pointed out that the government was uneasy with the democratic choices that the people of Malava made and questioned the commitment of the state to free and fair elections.
“If one by-election in Western Kenya requires such heavy security deployment and financial persuasion, how credible can our national polls be in the future?” he asked.
Natembeya said he was committed to defending Kenyan democracy by all means available within the law and that democracy belongs to the people.
The concerns were echoed by Senator Boni Khalwale, who joined Natembeya at the briefing, noting that this year’s November 27 polls witnessed unnecessary tension, warning that Kenya risks following in Tanzania’s electoral challenges in 2027, should such practices continue.
