Farouk Kibet, in a move that has been widely criticised as premature and an overreach of his position, posted a congratulatory graphic on his official social media pages celebrating Ndakwa as the new Member of Parliament for Malava.
The post immediately went viral, triggering a wave of strong reactions from Kenyans who questioned his authority to announce electoral outcomes, a role exclusively reserved for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Kenyans online did not hold back, with many accusing Kibet of disrespecting the electoral process and attempting to usurp the role of the official returning officer.
Comments flooded his post, with one user asking, "Who is the returning officer?" while another pointedly remarked, "See the surnames congratulating you," suggesting the celebration was one-sided.
Another commenter added, "Am looking at the names that are congratulating him, nashangaa Tu," expressing surprise at the nature of the supporters.
The controversial declaration has added another layer of tension to a by-election already marred by allegations of irregularities and violence.
The premature announcement by such a high-profile figure from the President's inner circle has fueled suspicion and led to accusations that the state was interfering with the process.
One supporter even told Kibet, "You single handed brought this home alone," a comment that critics say highlights the undue influence at play.
The IEBC has yet to officially declare a winner in the hotly contested race.
Farouk Kibet's actions have now placed the electoral body in a difficult position, as it will have to contend with a narrative that has already been set in the public domain, regardless of the final official tally.
