By E, KNA
Immediate former Member of Parliament (MP) for Magarini, Harrison Garama Kombe’s candidature for the November 27th , 2025 by-election, received a major boost after the Broad-Based government, vowed to vigorously campaign for his re-election.
National Assembly Deputy Majority Leader, Owen Yaa Baya, declared Kombe, of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, as the by-election’s candidate for the Broad-Based government that brings together Kenya Kwanza and the ODM.
Speaking after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), issued Kombe with a clearance certificate, Baya, who is also the Member of Parliament for Kilifi North, said all parties affiliated to Kenya Kwanza, including the Pamoja African Alliance (PAA), would rally behind Kombe, to ensure he finishes his term.
“As the Broad-Based Government, led by President William Ruto and Mr. Raila Odinga, we have decided that Mr. Harry Kombe, will be our candidate, so that we can give him an opportunity to complete his agenda for the people of Magarini,” he said.
He urged members of all parties affiliated to the Broad-Based arrangement, which include UDA, ODM, PAA among others, to join hands and campaign for Kombe’s re-election, describing the campaign as the mother of all battles.
Mr. Baya immediately led Kombe’s supporters in a road show that culminated in a huge political rally at Marereni market that was addressed by Kilifi Governor, Gideon Mung’aro among others.
Mr. Baya was one of the fiercest critics of Mr. Kombe before Mr. Stanley Kenga was denied the United Democratic Movement (UDA) ticket, following an agreement between the principals not to field any candidate in Magarini.
A defiant Kenga immediately joined the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) associated with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, and was cleared by the IEBC, Wednesday, to contest for the seat he lost to Mr. Kombe by a paltry 21 votes in the 2022 General Elections.
The by-election was occasioned by the nullification of Mr. Kombe’s victory, after Kenga successfully contested the outcome through an election petition.
Speaking after receiving the clearance certificate, Kombe expressed confidence that he would be easily re-elected, declaring, “If we won without shoes, how can we be defeated when we are now wearing shoes?”
He said that the nullification of his election victory had caused the stalling of various development projects, including the proposed Kenya Medical Training College campus at Shakadulo, an agricultural training institute in Ramada and a sports academy at Galukani near the Galana Teachers Training College.
At the close of the exercise, Thursday, the IEBC had cleared ten candidates, including 25-year-old Amos Katana, who is vying on an Independent Ticket, the only female candidate, Sarah Wahito Gakahu (Kenya Moja Movement) and Mr. Kombe, who were cleared,Thursday.
Those cleared, Wednesday, were Samuel Nzai (Wiper), Emmanuel Kalama (We Alliance Party), Rev. John Sulubu (Kenya Social Congress), Furaha Chengo Ngumbao (Democratic National Alliance), Hamadi Chadi (Roots) and Mr. Kenga (DCP).
Mr. Joseph Mwafondo, the Returning Officer of the Magarini by-election, said all candidates would be meeting at the Commission’s offices, Tuesday, to ratify their campaign schedules, to avoid conflicts during the vote hunt that kicked-off, Wednesday.
IEBC Chief Executive Officer, Marjan Hussein Marjan and Commissioner Francis Odhiambo Aduol, witnessed the clearance of Mr. Kombe, Ms Gakahu and Amos Katana on Thursday.