Magarini: How DCP’s Kenga lost to ODM’s Kombe by 21 votes in 2022 and by 9,002 votes in 2025
By Ascah Mwango, November 29, 2025Harrison Garama Kombe, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) candidate for Magarini Constituency in Kilifi County, decisively reclaimed his seat following the November 27, 2025, by-election.
Kombe secured 17,909 votes, more than double the 8,907 votes garnered by his closest rival, Stanley Kenga of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP).
The wide margin underscores both ODM’s enduring strength in the Coast region and the effectiveness of Kombe’s local campaign machinery.
The result represents a remarkable reversal from the August 2022 general election, where Kombe narrowly edged out Kenga by only 21 votes—11,946 to 11,925.
That razor-thin margin had sparked a prolonged legal battle, with Kenga challenging the validity of the election results on grounds of irregularities.
The case travelled through the judicial system for nearly two years, eventually setting a precedent for electoral disputes in the country.
In May 2024, the Supreme Court upheld the nullification of Kombe’s 2022 election victory, affirming the earlier ruling of the Court of Appeal.
The apex court validated Kenga’s claims that constitutional and legal violations had undermined the integrity of the vote.
High Court Judge Alfred Mabeya had initially nullified the election, citing significant procedural irregularities, including discrepancies in vote tallying and voter registration.
The Supreme Court’s affirmation effectively vacated the seat, clearing the way for the November 2025 by-election.
Kenga ditches UDA for Gachagua’s DCP
Stanley Kenga, a former Kilifi County Assembly Speaker, contested the Magarini by-election on a Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) ticket, having run under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) banner in the 2022 election.
Kenga switched to DCP after UDA opted out of the Magarini race, choosing instead to support their coalition partner, ODM.
The move appeared to isolate Kenga from Magarini voters, given the Broad-Based Government’s popularity in the Coast region.
DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua is a vocal critic of President William Ruto and his coalition partner, ODM.
Magarini voters clearly signalled their disapproval of Kenga’s political shift, overwhelmingly backing his opponent, Kombe, unlike the tightly contested race in 2022.
Kenga had been widely expected to mount a strong challenge in the by-election, given his narrow loss three years earlier.
However, the 2025 results demonstrated a dramatic shift in voter sentiment, with Kombe securing a commanding 9,002-vote advantage.
Political analysts point to sustained grassroots mobilisation, robust party structures, and strategic constituency engagement as key factors behind Kombe’s overwhelming victory.
For Kenga, the loss represents a stark contrast to his near-victory in 2022. Despite commanding local influence and high-profile backing from the DCP, he was unable to overcome Kombe’s resurgence.
Observers attribute the outcome to ODM’s strong organisational base in the Coast region, the personal appeal of Kombe among constituents, and the lessons learned from the contested 2022 election, which appear to have galvanised voters around him.
ODM’s ability to consolidate support in Magarini, even after a nullified election, reflects the party’s strategic focus on key constituencies and its adaptability in the face of legal and political challenges.
The contrast between a 21-vote margin in 2022 and a 9,002-vote margin in 2025 illustrates how electoral fortunes can shift dramatically when parties align strong ground campaigns with favourable voter sentiment.
As Harrison Kombe prepares to return to Parliament, political observers say the Magarini by-election will be studied as a case of how judicial rulings, voter mobilisation, and party strategy converge to shape electoral outcomes.
For Kenga and DCP, the results serve as a reminder of the volatility of electoral politics and the need for sustained engagement with constituents.