- An IEBC official was forced to hide under a table after chaos erupted in a polling station after two officials allegedly left the post
- A video captured the moment residents chased away a top government official from a polling station after he allegedly attempted to interfere with the election exercise
- A section of Kenyans weighed in on the chaos witnessed as others wondered about what the general election will look like
Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features in digital and print media.
Embu: By-elections across the country have taken a chaotic turn after alleged goons stormed several polling stations.
Source: Facebook
In Mbeere North, the first incident was witnessed when Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi was filmed in a scuffle with a voter after allegedly arriving at a station wearing a branded T‑shirt.
What happened in Mbeere North?
The two frontrunners in the MP race are DP’s candidate Newton Karish and UDA’s Leonard Wa Muthende.
Tension escalated afterward, and at Kaungu Primary School, chaos forced Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) officials to take cover inside a classroom, with one hiding under a table.
“Do not stand up. We have the ballot boxes and they have already been sealed. They are here,” said a woman.
The situation reportedly worsened after Embu governor and UDA chairperson Cecily Mbarire left the station.
Why was Ruku chased away from polling station?
Elsewhere, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku was chased away from the Kanyuombora polling station following claims of voter intimidation and electoral interference.
Residents insisted that no one was to be allowed to remain at the polling station.
Despite the unrest, Muthende expressed confidence in securing victory in the polls.
“We don’t even have security; there’s no point. So when people walk with 20 goons to a polling station, that tells you what they are trying to do. We are just telling them to wait to be embarrassed this evening. We are doing quite well, we’ll visit a few polling stations just to observe,” Muthende said.
Kenyans react after Mbeere North chaos
Duncan Oketch
“Huyo mwanamme amejificha chini ya meza atoke haraka, anatuhaibisha.”
Julius Mulaki
“These are some of the reasons Gen Zs feel reluctant to take voting cards.”
Joyce Kamau
“Sasa kaa hizi ni by-elections ziko na fujo hivi, what will happen in 2027?”
Musili Muli
“When Wa Muthende says they are doing very well and so he is assured of victory, is he observing the results even before the vote count starts?”
Charles Juma
“Halafu akikufa who will be responsible?… His security comes first.”
Ezekiel Gogo
“People haven’t realised, a table in the midst of any chaos can be the best buffer zone as you stragetise the attack, surrender, or retreat for battle.”
Did IEBC ban candidates at polling stations?
Meanwhile, the electoral body banned Kasipul candidates from visiting voting centres after violence erupted in Agoro polling station.
Source: Facebook
The directive came after Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma was violently attacked by a group of goons allegedly linked to independent candidate Philip Aroko.
Police officers from the Oyugis Police Station welcomed the ban and vowed to take the matter with utmost seriousness.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
