Wiper's Agnes Kavindu Wins Machakos Senatorial By-election

Agnes Kavindu Muthama of the Wiper Democratic Movement party has been elected as the new Machakos Senator.

Kavindu was declared the winner of Thursday’s Machakos senatorial by-election after garnering 104,352 votes against her main rival Urbanus Muthama Ngengele of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), who got 19,726 votes. 

Only 130,617 out of the 623,536 registered voters in Machakos County participated in the by-election, representing a voter turnout of 21 percent.

The by-election attracted 11 candidates, including three independent ones with Mutua Katuku of the Maendeleo Chap Chap party coming third with 1,476 votes.

Kavindu’s victory is seen as a confirmation of Kalonzo Musyoka’s place as the region’s undisputed kingpin.

Former Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama, who is the UDA party Chairman, attempted to challenge Kalonzo’s political influence in the region by fielding Ngengele in the by-election. UDA party is linked to Deputy President William Ruto.

Interestingly, Kavindu is the former wife of Muthama. The two divorced in 1983. 

The Machakos senator’s seat fell vacant following the death of Senator Boniface Kabaka in December 2020.