Independent candidate Feisal Bader was declared the new Msambweni MP-elect after he garnered 15,251 votes to beat his closest rival Omar Boga in a divisive by-election. 

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Returning Officer Yusuf Abubakar declared Bader winner on Wednesday morning and issued him with an election certificate.

Boga, who got the backing of ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga and his brigade, emerged second with 10,444 votes.

Only 27,313 votes were cast in the constituency mini poll that boats of 69,003 registered voters signaling a very low voter turnout of 39.5 per cent.

"By garnering the highest votes, I declare Feisal the winner for Msambweni Constituency by-election," Abubakar declared.

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Bader was ahead in the by-election from when the tallying commenced and later concluded at Dr Babla Secondary School amid tension. 

Deputy President William Ruto’s camp started their celebrations early Wednesday morning as it was clear their candidate, who ran on an independent ticket was carrying the day.  

Bader, while accepting the triumph, pledged to work diligently for Msambweni people. 

"I want thank the people of Msambweni for believing in me. I want to thank all the people who walked with me through to victory. We will work with our opponents for the sake of our constituency," said Bader as he thanked Ruto for his backing. 

The MP-Elect pledged to work with Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya and his deputy Fatuma Achani to deliver development projects for the people of Msambweni Constituency. 

Mvurya, Lunga Lunga MP Khatib Mwashetani and former Mombasa senator Hassan Omar led celebrations for Bader as it emerged that Ruto’s ‘Hustler Nation’ had outsmarted Raila’s brigade. 

34-year-old Bader is the nephew of the late Msambweni MP Suleiman Dori who died in March and was his personal assistant and the DP fully funded his parliamentary campaigns. 

Ruto did not campaign on the ground for Bader but sent his team of allies even as Odinga campaigned for Boga and even introduced the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) politics. 

However, the by-election was marred by allegations of voter bribery and intimidation amid incidences of chaos pitting Odinga’s supporters led by Mombasa governor Hassan Joho against Ruto’s . 

The DP’s brigade comprised of Mvurya, former senators Hassan Omar, Boni Khalwale and Johnstone Muthama alongside MPs Mwashetani, Kinango’s Benjamin Tayari, Aisha Jumwa of Malindi and Nyali’s Mohamed Ali.