By Dorothy Musyoka
Harrison Garama Kombe of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has reclaimed his Magarini Parliamentary seat,more than a year after losing it through an election petition.
Kombe secured 17,909 votes in the by-election, defeating the petitioner, Stanley Karisa Kenga of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), who garnered 8,907 votes.
The results were announced by Returning Officer Joseph Mwafondo, who noted that voter turnout stood at 34.7 percent, with 27,808 of the 80,128 registered voters casting their ballots across 193 polling stations.
Furaha Chengo Ngumbao emerged third with 227 votes, while independent candidate Amos Katana Kalama managed 182 votes.
They were followed by Roots Party’s Hamadi Chadi Karisa (138), Jacob Themo Kwicha (70), Emmanuel Kitsao Kalama (60), Samuel Kombe Nzai (58), Sarah Wahito Gakahu (12), and John Sulubu Masha (10).
Mr. Kwicha, the only candidate present at the results announcement, conceded defeat and congratulated Kombe for his victory.
Kombe thanked the people of Magarini for restoring their trust in him, promising dedicated service for the remainder of his term.
He pledged to fast-track development projects that had stalled following the nullification of his 2022 election.
Following the official declaration, Kombe led a jubilant caravan through parts of the constituency, celebrating with supporters and reaffirming his commitment to accelerated development.
This victory marks Kombe’s second by-election win since joining politics.
He first clinched a by-election in 2007, though he later lost the subsequent General Election to current Senate Speaker Amason Jeffa Kingi.
H was initially elected on a Shirikisho Party of Kenya ticket in 2002, Kombe went on to win again in 2013 under the United Democratic Party.