Magarini: ODM on edge as opposition gets boost

Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka arrives at Ngalula, Adu Ward, to lead United Opposition campaigns for DCP’s Stanley Kenga in Magarini ahead of tonight’s campaign close. (Dennis Kavisu, Standard)

As campaigns for the Magarini MP by-election in Kilifi County draw to a close, all nine candidates are vying for a seat with significant national and Coast political implications.

The race followed the nullification of immediate former ODM MP Lucas Kudate and has witnessed several twists. Wiper Patriotic Front candidate Samuel Nzai stepped down in favour of Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Stanley Kenga. Roots Party candidate Hamad Chadi also withdrew, further consolidating support for Kenga.

Unlike typical by-elections, DCP party leader and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who cut short a US tour to focus on the campaign, never visited Magarini.

Instead, Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka led the United Opposition’s efforts on Kenga’s behalf, crisscrossing all six wards. The regional team included Wiper Secretary General and nominated Senator Shakila Abdalla and Nyali MP Mohamed Ali.

The broad-based government, backing ODM candidate Harrison Kombe, mounted an intense campaign to ensure his recapture of the seat after the Supreme Court nullified his 2022 election over irregularities.

Senior leaders, including Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro, and other ODM luminaries urged voters to support Kombe, framing the vote as an endorsement of government development priorities. “This election is not about Kombe. It is about our future, and hence it has more significance for all of us,” Joho said.

Kingi called on residents to allow Kombe to continue his work. “I plead with you to re-elect Kombe so that he can go back to parliament and finish his term,” he said.

Governor Mung’aro added that voting for Kombe would secure access to government resources and development. “I urge you to elect Kombe so that you are in the broad-based government where you can get resources,” he said.

Kenga, formerly of UDA, joined DCP after his party endorsed Kombe. He is campaigning to reclaim the 2022 result, which he narrowly lost to Kombe by 21 votes. Kenga has a strong grassroots background, having served as Adu MCA and deputy speaker of Kilifi County Assembly.

The by-election has drawn attention as a litmus test for both DCP and the broad-based government. Kenga represents the United Opposition’s push for influence in the region, while Kombe embodies continuity and ODM’s dominance.

Campaigns have emphasised legacy, development, and political alignment, with each candidate mobilising resources and support networks extensively.

Other candidates include 25-year-old Amos Katana (Independent), a clinical medicine graduate who has campaigned on foot promising political change; Sarah Wahito Gakahu of Kenya Moja Movement, the only female candidate, who has focused on women and youth empowerment; Emmanuel Kalama (We Alliance Party), a businessman; Reverend John Sulubu (Kenya Social Congress), a local church-backed agricultural trainer; Furaha Chengo Ngumbao (Democratic National Alliance), a businessman from Gongoni; and Jacob Thethe (Federal Party of Kenya), who has run a quiet campaign. The contest centres on 80,000 registered voters, with candidates scrambling for support in a constituency where political loyalty, development expectations, and personal influence intersect.

Analysts suggest the by-election will be determined by turnout, last-minute campaigning, and mobilisation of party and community networks, with the outcome signalling political trends for Kilifi and the Coast ahead of the 2027 General Election.