Voting exercise kicked off in Emurua Dikirr constituency in Narok County, where voters are set to choose their new Member of Parliament.
The National Assembly seat fell vacant after the death of MP Johana Ng’eno and five others in a chopper crash on February 28, 2026.
The Porro Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) seat will also be filled in the Thursday by-elections. The seat fell vacant after the death of Patrick Lerte in December 2025. The late MCA was undergoing treatment at the Samburu County Referral Hospital.
Endo Ward in Elgeyo Marakwet lost its MCA, Jeremiah Biwott in January 2026. He had been undergoing treatment at The Nairobi Hospital.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on Thursday morning announced the opening of polling stations as of 6.00 am. The polling stations will stay open until 5.00 pm.
“Any lost time at opening will be recovered at closing and voters in the queue by 5.00 pm will be allowed to vote,” the commission said.
Five candidates are in the race to succeed the late Ngeno.
The five candidates cleared by the IEBC are Vincent Rotich of DCP, David Keter of UDA, Desma Cherono of PNU, Gideon Koech of NVPK and Kenneth Kiprono of RLP.
Security has also been intensified across the constituency. Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Dr. Abdi Hassan assured residents of adequate protection during the exercise.
Dr. Hassan also urged voters to cast their votes peacefully and return home. He also warned individuals planning to engage in violence or disrupt the electoral process that stern action will be taken against them.
Emurua Dikirr Constituency Returning Officer Caleb Gikonde said polling stations opened at 6am and will close at 5.00 pm.
Gikonde added that security has also been enhanced at the tallying centre. He also noted that only candidates accompanied by one agent will be allowed access to the facility to ensure order and transparency during the vote tallying process.
The political contest between UDA and DCP is widely viewed as a battle of influence. The contest is between President William Ruto, the UDA party leader and his former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of DCP.
Analysts say Ruto is seeking to stamp authority in his political backyard. On the other side, Gachagua aims to make inroads into the vote-rich Rift Valley. Gachagua is doing this through capitalising on local grievances over perceived unfulfilled promises.
Featured image: IEBC
