Voting in Malava Constituency began peacefully on Thursday morning, despite a night of tension marked by violent clashes between alleged supporters of the Democratic Action Party–Kenya (DAP-K) and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA). The Wednesday midnight confrontation at a hotel in Kaburengu Junction left several people injured and property destroyed.
According to witnesses, a group stormed the hotel owned by a local politician shortly after midnight. They allegedly attempted to abduct the politician while he was holding a strategic meeting with his team. The attempt reportedly failed, and one of the alleged attackers was caught and beaten as others fled.
However, the group is said to have returned about two hours later, this time overpowering those at the scene. Vehicles were smashed, people attacked, and one of the politician’s drivers was seriously injured. He is currently admitted at Webuye Sub-County Hospital in Bungoma County.
Despite the night’s chaos, polling stations across Malava opened on time on Thursday. Turnout was initially low but expected to rise as the day progressed. Election materials had been successfully delivered to all 198 polling stations, serving the constituency’s 94,417 registered voters.
DAP-K parliamentary candidate Seth Panyako cast his vote at 6:00 am at St Joseph’s Lunyu Primary School in Manda Shivanga, accompanied by DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa. Panyako accused the government of using violence and ballot interference to influence the outcome of the by-election. He also criticized the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for allegedly failing to stem the unrest.
However, Constituency Returning Officer Salim Abdala dismissed claims of widespread violence, noting that the IEBC had not received any official complaints. He emphasized that the commission relies on verified reports, not public speculation.
Meanwhile, police maintained tight security across villages and polling centres to ensure a peaceful voting environment.
