Former Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has accused government operatives of orchestrating a campaign of intimidation and voter bribery to manipulate the outcome of the Mbeere North parliamentary by-election scheduled for Thursday, November 27, 2025. In a formal letter to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) dated Thursday, November 20, 2025, the Democratic Party (DP) leader alleged a coordinated plot to deploy armed groups and use state resources to unlawfully influence the vote in favour of the ruling party's candidate.

The allegations heighten tensions in a contest already flagged by the IEBC as a potential hotspot for electoral violence. Muturi claims that "imported goons" from Nairobi and Kiambu are being mobilised with the assistance of National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) and National Police Service (NPS) personnel in civilian attire to disrupt polling stations. "The schemes to corrupt the Mbeere North by-election are no longer rumours. They are orchestrated, financed and deployed," Muturi stated on Friday, November 21, 2025. He further detailed systematic voter bribery, alleging that voters are being instructed to photograph their marked ballots in exchange for cash, a move he condemned as a direct assault on the principle of a secret ballot.

High-Stakes Political Battleground

The Mbeere North seat fell vacant after President William Ruto appointed its then-Member of Parliament, Geoffrey Ruku, as the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service in March 2025, a move that saw Muturi dropped from the cabinet. The resulting by-election has transformed the constituency into a fierce battleground, widely seen as a referendum on political dominance in the Mt. Kenya East region.

The main contest pits Leonard Wamuthende Muriuki of the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) against Newton Kariuki (popularly known as Karish) of Muturi's Democratic Party. The race has drawn in national political heavyweights. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, and CS Ruku are leading the UDA campaign. The opposition, a united front in this election, is spearheaded by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, and DAP-K's Eugene Wamalwa, who are all backing Kariuki.

A Test for a New-Look IEBC

The by-election is the first major assignment for the new-look IEBC, chaired by Erastus Ethekon, who took office in July 2025. The commission has acknowledged the volatility of the Mbeere North contest, identifying it and Kasipul Kabondo as high-risk areas marred by inflammatory remarks and intimidation. In a joint briefing on Friday, November 14, 2025, with the National Police Service and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), the IEBC issued a stern warning that candidates found culpable of inciting violence risk disqualification. The IEBC confirmed it has received ballot papers and is finalising logistical preparations for the vote, which will take place in 24 electoral areas across the country.

Recent opinion polls suggest a tight race. A Mizani Africa survey conducted between November 17 and 19 showed UDA's Wamuthende with a slight lead at 44.6% against Kariuki's 42.4%, with 7.3% of voters undecided, positioning the election as too close to call. As campaigns enter their final days, both political formations have vowed to maintain a strong presence on the ground, with national leaders camping in the constituency to rally support. Muturi has called on the IEBC to act decisively on his petition to "stop this lawlessness and guarantee a free, fair and credible election."