‘Imported goons, voter bribery’: Muturi writes to IEBC over plot to disrupt Mbeere North by-election

Democratic Party of Kenya (DP) leader Justin Muturi has raised alarm over what he terms as a coordinated plot to interfere with the upcoming Mbeere North by-election, accusing government operatives of deploying armed groups and using voter bribery to tilt the contest.

In a letter dated November 20, 2025, addressed to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Erastus Edung Ethekon, Muturi protested the alleged schemes, claiming the groups are operating with the involvement of National Government Administration Officers and National Police Service personnel in civilian clothing.

He said that his party was privy to information involving a plot by the said goons to invade selected polling centres in the strongholds of the DP candidate to suppress and disrupt voting on November 27.

“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 escort and command of the National Police Service in civilian clothes," he stated.

“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 Kanyambuura, Ishihara and Siakago towns, as well as a squad of police officers from Nairobi whose motive is clearly mischievous.”

The DP leader further accused UDA and government-linked agents of engaging in widespread bribery ahead of the November 27 vote.

“We are witnessing massive voter bribery in the UDA/Government rallies and meetings presently, and their planned plot to have voters take photos of ticked ballot papers on election day to show in exchange of money,” Muturi wrote, terming the practice a direct violation of the principle of the secret ballot.

In light of the accusations, the former Attorney General called for immediate action, outlining three demands to the electoral body, among them a call for a free, fair, credible and verifiable election; putting in place of measures to redress the “evil and illegal machinations”; as well as updating of the party leadership on the measures taken.

He also wants the commission to ensure there is an updated voter register to avoid confusion over missing or misplaced names during the election.

The assertions by the DP boss come amid an intensified campaign pitting Deputy President Kithure Kindiki against his predecessor, Rigathi Gachagua.

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Leonard Wa Muthende is facing Gachagua's backed Newton Karish of DP during next week's Parliamentary by-election that will pick Geoffrey Ruku’s successor following his nomination to Cabinet.

Gachagua on Thursday also claimed the government was engaged in voter bribery and intimidation in the ongoing campaigns, alleging that State-backed operatives were coercing voters in their campaigns for the UDA candidate.

“Nimeskia (Public Service CS Geoffrey) Ruku akiambia watu waende wapigie Wa Muthende kura, kisha wapige picha alafu baadaye utatumiwa pesa. Hiyo ni uongo, hii uchaguzi ikiisha hakuna mtu atakupatia pesa,” he warned.

He told supporters that the Mt. Kenya region would use the November 27 by-election to register its disapproval of President Ruto, accusing his former boss of political betrayal.

The ex-DP singled out residents of Mbeere North as a crucial bloc in what he termed an upcoming political “reckoning.”