Tension is mounting in Mbeere North Constituency, Embu County, following allegations by two opposition leaders of a plot by operatives linked to the UDA government to rig the forthcoming by-election.
Democratic Party (DP) leader and former Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Justin Muturi, together with Devolution Empowerment Party (DEP) leader Lenny Kivuti—popularly known as the Bus party—have alleged that efforts are underway to import voters into the constituency.
Mr Kivuti made sensational claims that non-residents were being registered as voters in Nairobi, with the intention of transporting them to Mbeere North on election day.
The duo asserted that those behind the alleged scheme had sensed defeat, which is why they were resorting to desperate attempts to manipulate the poll. They expressed confidence that their joint opposition candidate, Newton Karish—running on a DP ticket—would secure a landslide victory. Mr Karish is the outgoing Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Muminji Ward.
Speaking during a meeting with over 2,000 residents at Kanyuambora Market on Saturday, the leaders warned that any attempts to subvert the will of the people would be met with firm resistance.
“People here know each other well and can easily identify outsiders. Anyone planning to steal the election is gravely mistaken,” said Mr Kivuti, a former Senator for Embu.
Mr Muturi echoed the sentiment, warning that any rigging attempt would be met with equal force, declaring, “They have dialled the wrong number.”
The two leaders emphasised the need for a credible electoral process and called upon the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to ensure a free, fair, and transparent election, so that the people of Mbeere North could elect their preferred leader.
- IEBC kicks off high-tech voter drive to enrol 6.3m Kenyans
- By-elections at risk as IEBC struggles with budget shortfall
They described their candidate as the “People’s Choice”, whom their opponents feared due to his exemplary performance as a three-term MCA.
Mr Karish expressed confidence in the IEBC’s ability to deliver a credible poll.
“This is a litmus test for the IEBC. I believe they will conduct a credible exercise,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the contest has shaped up as a three-horse race featuring DP’s Newton Karish, UDA’s Leonard Muthende, and Chama Cha Kazi’s Duncan Mbui, the outgoing MCA for Evurore Ward.
This development follows the Jubilee Party’s decision to deny Jacob Mbao a ticket and instead back the DP candidate.
UDA’s candidate, Mr Muthende, has received strong backing from Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, who has been traversing the constituency urging voters to align with the ruling party to ensure continued development.
Mr Ruku is relying on government goodwill to bolster support for Mr Muthende.
– By Samuel Waititu, KNA
Email your news TIPS to Editor@nairobilawmonthly.com, and to advertise with us, call +254715061658 anytime of the day
