Kenya By-Election Marred by Violence as Youth Block Polling Stations
Nairobi, 26 February 2026
Thursday’s Evurore Ward by-election descended into chaos when suspected goons brutally attacked a Democratic Party chief agent at Njarage Primary School polling station, whilst separate groups of youth used vehicles to block voters from accessing voting centres. The violence represents a troubling escalation in Kenya’s electoral process concerns.
Chief Agent Brutally Attacked at Polling Station
Kelvin Mwenda, the chief agent for Democratic Party candidate Albert Kigoro, was assaulted by suspected goons whilst monitoring the voting process at Njarage Primary School polling station [1]. The attack occurred during Mwenda’s official duties, creating an atmosphere of fear among voters and party supporters who had turned out to cast their ballots [1]. In the ensuing violence, a vehicle belonging to candidate Kigoro, which Mwenda was using, was also vandalised [1]. Mwenda described the assault as a clear act of intimidation aimed at frustrating his legally mandated oversight role and scaring voters away from the polling station [1].
Youth Block Access to Voting Centres
Separate incidents saw groups of young people using vehicles to block voters from accessing polling stations across the Evurore Ward [2]. These coordinated efforts to prevent electoral participation represented another significant disruption to the democratic process on Thursday. The blocking tactics effectively denied eligible voters their constitutional right to participate in the by-election, compounding the challenges already created by the violent attacks on election officials [2].
Low Voter Turnout Amid Security Concerns
The violence and intimidation tactics contributed to notably low voter turnout witnessed across the Evurore Ward by-election [3]. The electoral disruptions created significant challenges for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) staff attempting to conduct the poll. Former Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi was among those who managed to vote, though he had a brief exchange with IEBC staff over procedural matters regarding finger marking after casting his ballot [4].
Police Investigation Launched Following Violence
Mwenda has reported the attack to Ishiara Police Station and called on security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice [1]. The incidents highlight ongoing concerns about electoral security and the protection of democratic processes in Kenya’s local elections [GPT]. Such violence during electoral processes poses serious questions about the safety of election officials, candidates, and voters participating in Kenya’s democratic institutions. The disruptions in Evurore Ward reflect broader challenges facing electoral integrity in the region, with potential implications for political stability and public confidence in democratic processes.