Voting is underway in Emurua Dikirr constituency as residents head to the polls to elect a new Member of Parliament following the death of area MP Johana Ng’eno Kipyegon in a helicopter crash on February 28.
Polling stations opened at 6am across 94 centres, with 44,447 registered voters expected to take part in a closely watched contest that has drawn political attention beyond the constituency.
By mid-morning, the process was largely smooth despite occasional weather challenges in parts of the area.
The race has shaped up into a tight battle between David Kipsang Keter of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Vincent Kibet Rotich of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), in what analysts describe as a contest with strong local and ethnic undertones.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has maintained that the exercise is proceeding under strict guidelines aimed at protecting the integrity of the vote.
“The secrecy and sanctity of the vote must be preserved at all times, and voters are strictly prohibited from taking photos or recording videos inside the polling booth,” the commission said in a public notice issued ahead of the by-election.
IEBC warned that anyone found capturing images of marked ballot papers without lawful reason risks committing an election offence under the Election Offences Act.
“Any person who captures an image of a marked ballot without lawful excuse commits an election offence and risks a fine of up to Sh1 million, a jail term of up to three years, or both,” the commission added.
The directive has sparked debate, with lawyer Miguna Miguna criticising the restriction as a barrier to transparency.
However, electoral officials have defended the rule, noting that party agents and observers are present at polling stations to ensure accountability.
The Emurua Dikirr by-election is seen as an early political test for both UDA and DCP, with the outcome expected to offer signals on shifting alliances and voter sentiment ahead of the 2027 General Election.