Opposition leader Martha Karua has announced that the united opposition will undertake a structured review of Thursday’s by-election, signalling that a legal challenge could follow depending on the coalition’s findings.
Her remarks come at a time when questions on electoral credibility continue to shape political debate in several regions across the country.
Karua, who leads the People’s Liberation Party (PLP), said the coalition will begin by assessing reports from polling stations and consulting party agents stationed across the constituency.
She told supporters that the meeting will guide whether the opposition should pursue a petition, a process permitted under Kenyan election laws.
“As the opposition, we will sit together, analyse what happened, and decide what we are going to do,” Karua said.
Her statement draws attention to Kenya’s long-standing debate over electoral safeguards, particularly the legal avenues available for contesting outcomes.
Since the 2010 Constitution strengthened judicial oversight of elections, petitions have become a common feature of post-election politics, especially in tightly contested seats.
Karua noted that the law grants citizens and candidates the right to challenge results through formal processes, underscoring the importance of institutional accountability.
She reiterated that constitutional authority is vested in citizens, not those holding public office. In her remarks, she urged voters to resist compromising justice for short-term benefits.
“The law also says authority belongs to the citizens, not to those holding positions,” she said, calling for vigilance in protecting democratic principles at the community level.
Karua used a metaphor to caution against exchanging civic responsibility for convenience, telling residents not to sacrifice justice for personal comfort or monetary gains.
“Sleeping on a mattress is comfortable and better than sleeping on the floor. But don’t let your love for the mattress outweigh justice,” she warned.
She added that when citizens overlook accountability, they risk poor public services, saying, “You may sleep on the mattress, but when you go to the hospital, you will lack medicine.”
The opposition is now compiling observations from the by-election, which drew interest due to shifting alliances and heightened rivalry among local party networks.
Opposition leaders say the review will determine whether reported incidents meet the threshold for a court challenge, though they have not provided a specific timeline.
Karua said the coalition will issue a formal update once its internal consultations are complete. Electoral officials have not responded to the remarks, while no formal petition has been filed so far.
The opposition is expected to meet in the coming days to reach a final decision on the matter.