Muturi Accuses Government of Plot to Disrupt Mbeere North By-Election

Democratic Party of Kenya (DP) leader Justin Muturi has accused government operatives of orchestrating a plan to interfere with the upcoming Mbeere North by-election scheduled for November 27

In a letter dated November 20 and addressed to Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon, Muturi alleged that armed groups have been deployed to the constituency under the cover of National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) and police officers in civilian clothing

According to Muturi, the groups reportedly ferried from Nairobi, Thika and other areas are planning to invade polling stations in DP strongholds to disrupt voting

“We write to protest the planned use of armed goons from Nairobi and Thika, among other areas, in favour of the UDA candidate,” he stated, adding that the presence of suspicious groups had already been noted in Kanyambuura, Ishihara and Siakago towns

Muturi further accused United Democratic Alliance (UDA) agents of engaging in widespread voter bribery ahead of the vote

He claimed that voters were being instructed to take photos of marked ballot papers in exchange for money an act he termed a blatant violation of the secrecy of the ballot

The former Attorney General has demanded that the IEBC ensure a free, fair and verifiable election; take immediate steps to address the alleged schemes; and update the party on the safeguards put in place

He also urged the commission to provide an updated voter register to avoid confusion at polling centres

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The Mbeere North contest has heightened political rivalry between Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and former DP Rigathi Gachagua, who is backing DP candidate Newton Karish

UDA’s Leonard Wa Muthende is seeking to succeed Geoffrey Ruku, who was recently nominated to Cabinet

On Thursday, Gachagua also alleged government involvement in voter bribery and voter intimidation, warning residents against being lured into photographing their ballot papers

The former DP told supporters that the by-election would signal the Mt. Kenya region’s disapproval of President William Ruto’s leadership, describing the vote as part of an impending political “reckoning”