Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro at Magarini Shopping Center during a Campaign for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) candidate Harrison Kombe on November 20, 2025. Photo by Ben Okweingoti 
By Ben Okweingoti
Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro has issued a stern warning to the united opposition, asserting that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) candidate Harrison Kombe is set to emerge victorious in next week’s Magarini constituency by-election.
Speaking at Magarini Shopping Center, Mung’aro criticized opposition candidate Stanley Kenga of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), saying voters will punish him for disrespecting both himself and President William Ruto.
“I have seen some people come from Nairobi to campaign for a person I gave a job, and he refused. The President gave him a job, and he refused, but he decided to join an impeached deputy president and the opposition. I want to assure them that ODM will defeat them,” Mung’aro said.
The governor, flanked by leaders including Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi, Kaloleni’s Paul Katana, Kilifi South’s Ken Chonga, Kwale Women MP Fatuma Masito, and Mombasa Women MP Zamzam Mohamed, told residents that the upcoming vote would be his greatest political test, as it could indicate his performance in the 2027 general elections.
Chonga urged residents to back Kombe, emphasizing that the outcome of the by-election would shape the political future of the coastal region. “This is not only a vote for Kombe but a vote for Mung’aro and Joho. If you fail to vote for him, you will have sent the wrong signal ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he said.
Kenga, who was initially the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate, was dropped in favour of Kombe under a broad-based government arrangement, as the seat was previously held by ODM before being nullified by the courts.
The by-election has seen ODM form alliances with UDA and Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) of Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, while the opposition comprises DCP, Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF) led by Kalonzo Musyoka, and Democratic Action Party-Kenya of Eugine Wamalwa. Both sides have mounted intensive last-minute campaigns ahead of the vote.
The Magarini by-election is widely regarded as a crucial test for Mung’aro, Speaker Kingi, and Mining, Fisheries, and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho. Analysts warn that a loss by the broad-based government candidate would be a significant political blow, particularly for Kingi, who hails from Magarini and seeks to defend his Speaker’s position in 2027.
