Tension in Kakamega, Bungoma as campaigns marred by chaos

Speaker Moses Wetangula introduces Malava UDA aspirants to supporters during a disability empowerment programme on September 12, 2025. [Benjamin Sakwa/Standard]

As the official campaigns closed yesterday, political tension in high in Kakamega and Bungoma counties. 

What began as spirited campaigns have increasingly been tainted by violence, intimidation, and clashes between supporters, raising concerns over the ability of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to guarantee a free and fair vote.

In Kabuchai Ward, Bungoma, the political atmosphere has been volatile. A campaign incident on Saturday left a 70-year-old man dead after he suffered serious injuries during a confrontation. 

The incident unfolded as Trans-Nzoia Governor George Natembeya addressed a campaign event for MCA candidate Eric Wekesa.

Natembeya was forced to leave the venue.

The stampede followed clashes between rival political groups, which also involved the use of gunfire. 

Natembeya accused the government of persecuting him.

“I have been a regional commissioner, and I know in whose hands guns and bullets should be. I’m wondering, as leaders who have the right to assemble while campaigning, do we still have a country? These attacks mean Kenya has no government at all,” he said.

Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga said his home were vandalised during the incident, with losses estimated at Sh3 million. He described the attacks as “orchestrated” and blamed political rivals for the violence and urged IEBC to take action.

“Such acts of violence are in direct violation of Article 88 of the Constitution and the Electoral Code of Conduct. Candidates who engage in such chaos should be barred from contesting,” he said.

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale pointed the finger at the government. 

“If you come with sticks, I have my hands. If it is guns, our commander Natembeya is around,” said Khalwale in Khwisero, Kakamega while campaigning for DAP-K MCA candidate Abraham Ayaya.

Natembeya, who has been advocating for leadership change in Western Kenya through his Tawe movement, faulted the leadership of Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang’ula, the principals from the western region in the Kenya Kwanza government.

The Prime Cabinet Secretary, however, rebuked Natembeya, accusing him of arrogance and disrespect toward national leaders. 

“We have strong candidates to run against you come 2027, and you will only serve one term,” he said.

Wetang’ula, the National Assembly Speaker, and Mudavadi have led the charge for their coalition in the region, particularly in campaigning for the UDA candidate in Malava David Ndakwa.

These high-stakes campaigns in Kakamega and Bungoma come in the wake of several IEBC interventions, including fines of Sh1 million each for Kasipul parliamentary candidates for violating the electoral code of conduct. 

Western Regional Commissioner Irungu Macharia, while addressing the media on Monday, said police officers are ready for the by-election.

“We have enough police officers to deploy before, during and after the election, and we are putting on notice politicians planning to import goons to intimidate and harass voters to interfere with the election outcomes.