Chama Cha Kazi (CCK) party candidate Duncan Mbui has lodged serious allegations of widespread voter bribery by his main rivals in the Thursday, November 27, 2025, Mbeere North parliamentary by-election. The claims have intensified the political heat in a contest widely seen as a crucial political barometer for the ruling coalition's influence in the Mount Kenya region.

The allegations from Mbui’s camp emerged on election day, adding to a tense atmosphere already thick with accusations and counter-accusations of electoral malpractice. While Mbui’s specific, detailed claims of bribery against the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Democratic Party (DP) have been reported, the exact nature of the alleged bribery remains a subject for further investigation. DETAILS UNCONFIRMED.

A High-Stakes Political Battleground

The Mbeere North by-election is not merely a local contest; it represents a significant political showdown. The seat, which fell vacant after the appointment of Geoffrey Ruku as a Cabinet Secretary, has become a proxy battle between factions loyal to President William Ruto and those aligned with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. The ruling UDA party, chaired by Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, has thrown its weight behind Leonard Muthende. On the other side, a united opposition front, which includes Gachagua’s allies, is backing the Democratic Party’s candidate, Newton Kariuki.

This political backdrop has created a fertile ground for intense rivalry and suspicion. Days before the poll, on Friday, November 21, 2025, former Attorney General and DP leader Justin Muturi formally petitioned the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). In his letter, Muturi alleged a coordinated scheme by state-linked actors to compromise the election through the use of “imported goons” from Nairobi and Thika and rampant voter bribery to favour the UDA candidate. Muturi claimed there was a plot to have voters take photographs of their marked ballots in exchange for cash, a direct violation of electoral laws.

Accusations and Counter-Accusations

The CCK’s claims do not exist in a vacuum. The campaign period has been marred by a flurry of accusations from all sides. On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, UDA Chairperson Cecily Mbarire accused opposition groups of ferrying people into the constituency to cause tension and engage in voter bribery in areas like Kanyuambora and Ishiara. She stated she had reported these plans to the police in Ishiara.

In response, opposition leaders, including Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka and Gachagua, held a joint press briefing alleging an elaborate plan by the government to manipulate the vote through ballot stuffing. They claimed that thousands of pre-marked ballot papers had been dispatched to the constituency. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED.

The CCK party leader, Moses Kuria, also raised concerns about rising insecurity during the campaign period and warned the IEBC to ensure the safety of all participants. On the morning of the election, Kuria claimed that some CCK polling agents had been attacked on their way to polling stations.

Official Responses and Observer Scrutiny

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has been under significant pressure to ensure a free and fair election amidst the toxic political environment. Ahead of the vote, IEBC CEO Marjan Hussein assured the public that the commission was fully prepared and had put adequate security measures in place, with at least two police officers stationed at every polling station. In response to general claims of irregularities, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon stated that the commission could not act on rumours circulating on social media and required formal complaints to be filed through the proper channels. An official response from the IEBC specifically addressing Duncan Mbui's allegations has not yet been issued.

Independent election observers, such as the Elections Observation Group (ELOG), have been monitoring the by-elections. On November 17, 2025, ELOG petitioned the IEBC to take action against public officers engaging in political activities, reminding the commission that public officers are required by law to remain politically neutral. However, a specific preliminary report from ELOG or other accredited observers on instances of bribery in the Mbeere North by-election on November 27 was not yet available at the time of this report. The conduct and outcome of this by-election will undoubtedly have significant implications for the political landscape in the Mount Kenya region and will serve as a critical test for Kenya's electoral institutions ahead of the 2027 General Election.