D-Day: Moment of truth for new IEBC team

Voters in 24 electoral areas will today cast their ballots in by-elections that promise to trigger major political readjustments going into the 2027 General Election.

Both the broad-based government team under President William Ruto and the United Opposition led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka are in the contest to build political momentum seen as crucial in sustaining perception and political popularity narratives.

The newly reconstituted Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) also steps into the spotlight as it oversees its first elections, which have quickly evolved into a crucible of political tension, public scepticism and intense scrutiny.

The by-elections, though local, have drawn national-level political mobilisation, with rival parties deploying heavyweights and flooding the ground with resources.

Reports of violent confrontations, voter intimidation and alleged bribery networks have raised the stakes further, turning what should be a routine democratic exercise into a decisive test of the commission’s ability to enforce order and fairness.

The outcome of the polls would also provide bragging rights to the winning camp, offering the formation a platform to attract new alliances in readiness for the next elections. It is also promising to act as a barometer for choosing new strategic partners, including pre-election power-sharing deals.

Apart from the 181 candidates set to square it out at the ballot, the outcome of today’s by-elections will also either weaken or strengthen the political bargaining power of various regional kingpins. It is likely to give rise to new power brokers while edging out some political principals.

Top leaders facing popularity tests in the mini-polls include Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, National Assembly Speaker Mo