President William Ruto has congratulated the winners of Thursday’s by-elections, describing their victories as a testament to the power of national unity.
In a statement, the President applauded newly elected MPs and leaders from various parties, including UDA and ODM.
“Congratulations David Ndakwa (Malava), Leonard Wamuthende (Mbeere North), Ahmed Maalim Hassan (Banisa), Vincent Chemitei (Baringo), Moses Omondi (Ugunja), Harrison Kombe (Magarini), and Boyd Were (Kasipul) for your deserved win,” he said.
Ruto added that the outcome showed the country is stronger when citizens choose cohesion over division.
“Your victory is a powerful reminder that we are bigger and better as a country when we are united,” he noted.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki also celebrated the results, saying the newly elected leaders now carry the mandate of the people.
“After gruelling and incredibly intense campaigns, the winners now have the responsibility to rally communities to unite for the collective good and expedite development in their regions,” he said.
Kindiki urged unsuccessful candidates to continue contributing to public discourse, noting that leadership extends beyond elected office.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen commended voters in the affected areas for maintaining peace and cooperating with security agencies.
He, however, acknowledged isolated incidents of violence, saying investigations are underway and perpetrators will face the law.
Results and Candidate Responses
In Malava, UDA’s David Ndakwa was declared the winner after securing 21,564 votes against DAP-K candidate Seth Panyako, who garnered 20,210 votes.
Ndakwa pledged to complete all development projects initiated by the late MP Malulu Injendi, whose death earlier this year triggered the by-election.
In Mbeere North, UDA’s Leonard Muriuki wa Wamuthende won with 15,802 votes, narrowly defeating his closest challenger, Newton Kariuki (Karish), who received 15,308 votes.
Wamuthende promised to serve all residents equally and deliver on his campaign pledges, including improved bursary distribution and infrastructure upgrades.
In Banisa, UDA celebrated Ahmed Maalim Hassan’s victory, calling it a strong vote of confidence in his leadership and commitment to development.
In Kasipul, ODM’s Boyd Were clinched the seat with 16,819 votes, ahead of Philip Aroko who managed 8,476.
The poll followed the killing of former MP Ong’ondo Were in Nairobi earlier this year, an incident that authorities continue to treat as an assassination.
Election officials reported that voting across the affected regions was largely peaceful, with only minor delays in a few polling centres. Counting continued through the night before the IEBC confirmed the results.
