- The United Opposition accused the government of meddling in the November 27 by-election through intimidation and voter bribery
- DP leader Justin Muturi alleged that armed goons from Nairobi and Thika, aided by police in civilian clothes, were being deployed to opposition strongholds
- The party petitioned the IEBC to intervene, demanding safeguards and an updated voter register to ensure a free and credible election
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Kai Eli, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
The United Opposition has decried malpractices ahead of the November 27 by-election.
Source: Twitter
The team accuses the government of meddling in the campaigns and employing tactics to suppress the efforts of the opposition.
What United Opposition wants
In a letter addressed to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the DP party, which is fielding the opposition candidate, complained about armed goons being deployed by the state.
DP leader Justin Muturi claimed the goons were being supplied from Nairobi and Thika.
Muturi claimed that the goons would be positioned across the constituency and guarded by the police to intimidate voters.
“As a sponsoring party in the November 27, Mbeere North by-elections and pursuant to the relevant statutes on election planning and management, we write to protest the planned use of armed goons from Nairobi and Thika, among other areas, in favour of the UDA candidate, with the involvement of National Government Administration officers under the escot and command of National Police Service in civilian clothes,” he said.
Muturi further alleged that the goons would be deployed to the opposition strongholds to intimidate voters.
“We have information that there are already plans to invade selected polling centres in the strongholds of our candidate with the aim of suppressing and disrupting voting on polling day. These plans are given credence by the heavy presence of these imported goons identified within Kanyuambura, Ishiara and Siakago towns, as well as a squad of police officers from Nairobi whose motive is clearly mischievous,” he claimed.
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What DP wants from IEBC
Muturi claimed that the government was heavily involved in voter bribery.
The party sought the intervention of the commission, asking it to address the issues raised, and also come up with a new register of voters, as the current one seems interfered with.
“We bring to your attention the above plans to deny voters a free, fair, credible and verifiable election. Call upon your commission to put in place measures to redress their evil and illegal machinations and update us on the measures taken. Call upon your commission to avail, on the election day, an updated voter register to avoid cases of missing or misplaced names,” Muturi said.
Who will win Mbeere North MP seat?
Political observers view the Mbeere North by-election as a crucial test for dominant parties in the county and the wider Mount Kenya region.
Source: Twitter
A survey by Mizani Africa projects United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Leonard Wa Muthende as the frontrunner, with 44.6% support from 800 respondents polled between November 17 and 19.
His closest rival, Democratic Party of Kenya (DP) candidate Newton Karish, follows with 42.4%, making the contest too close to call.
The poll suggests the race is essentially a two-horse battle, as both leading contenders command nearly equal backing. Chama Cha Kazi (CCK) candidate Duncun Mbui trails in third place with 5.7%, while 7.3% of voters remain undecided.
In terms of party strength, President William Ruto’s UDA leads with 38.9% popularity, narrowly ahead of Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) at 33.1%.
Mizani Africa noted that the findings reflect a growing consolidation of voter preferences around the major parties.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
