Senate Speaker Amason Kingi-led Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) has rejected United Democratic Party’s (UDA) request not to field a candidate for the Magarini by-election scheduled for November 27.

Speaking on Sunday, Kingi said the two parties have no formal agreement preventing PAA from presenting a candidate in any by-election.

“We have completed plans to have our candidate Michael Kingi recapture the Magarini parliamentary seat during the November by-election,” he stated.

The seat became vacant after MP Harrison Kombe of ODM lost an election petition filed by Stanley Kenga, the UDA candidate in the 2022 polls. The Supreme Court upheld previous rulings that found irregularities, including ballot stuffing, which compromised the integrity of the election. Kombe was also ordered to pay Kenga Sh2 million in legal costs.

ODM leaders at the Coast, including Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro, have thrown their weight behind Kombe’s bid to regain the seat.

ODM Deputy Party Leader Abdulswamad Nassir expressed confidence in the governor’s team, saying it would prove Kombe remains the most popular candidate in the constituency.

Kingi warned political parties against using violence in campaigns, emphasizing that PAA has conducted extensive grassroots preparations and is ready for the by-election.

He claimed that both ODM and UDA have lost some popularity in the Coast region and expressed confidence that PAA would win the seat.

Meanwhile, Kenga said he remains optimistic about his chances despite past setbacks, noting that his support base is still strong.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) said the upcoming by-elections will take place in two batches.

The first batch includes 16 wards, including Chwani ward in Tana River, while the second batch covers six constituencies, including Magarini, Banisa, Kasipul, Malava, Mbere North, Ugunja, and a Senate seat in Baringo County.