SIAKAGO, EMBU COUNTY – Tensions flared in the Mbeere North by-election on Thursday, November 27, 2025, when Democratic Party (DP) leader Justin Muturi confronted and ejected a polling agent affiliated with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) from a polling station. The incident, which occurred at Siakago Social Hall at approximately 9:36 AM EAT, has highlighted the high stakes of a contest seen as a bellwether for political alignments in the Mount Kenya region ahead of the 2027 general election.

Mr. Muturi, a former National Assembly Speaker and Attorney General, took action after identifying the agent, Kiruga Thuku, who is also the Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Chinga Ward in Nyeri County, wearing UDA-branded attire inside the polling station. Eyewitnesses supported Mr. Muturi's claims, stating that the agent was not only in violation of electoral regulations prohibiting party colours at polling stations but was also allegedly attempting to influence voters. "We have chased him away because he was donning UDA colours and trying to bribe voters here," Mr. Muturi stated to journalists at the scene.

A High-Stakes Contest

The Mbeere North parliamentary seat became vacant after President William Ruto appointed the then-MP, Geoffrey Ruku, to the Cabinet in April 2025. This by-election is one of 24 mini-polls being conducted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) across the country on Thursday. However, the Mbeere North race has garnered significant national attention as it pits factions within the Mount Kenya political bloc against each other.

The main contest is between Newton Karish of the Democratic Party, backed by Mr. Muturi and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), and Leonard 'Leo' Wa Muthende of the ruling UDA party. UDA's campaign is being spearheaded by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku. The outcome is widely interpreted as a test of President Ruto's continued influence in a region that was crucial to his 2022 election victory, particularly following his fallout with Mr. Gachagua.

Electoral Integrity Concerns

The confrontation at the polling station comes against a backdrop of heightened accusations of electoral malpractice. In the weeks leading up to the vote, Mr. Muturi and his allies had formally complained to the IEBC, alleging a coordinated campaign by UDA involving voter bribery and intimidation. In a protest letter dated November 20, 2025, Mr. Muturi claimed there were plans to deploy armed groups to suppress voting in DP strongholds and that money was being distributed to voters, who were allegedly instructed to photograph their marked ballots as proof for payment.

The IEBC has issued strict guidelines for the by-elections, explicitly prohibiting the wearing of party emblems or campaigning within polling stations. The commission also warned against any photography of marked ballot papers, stating that such actions compromise the secrecy of the vote and are punishable by law. In response to security concerns, the National Police Service has deployed a significant number of officers to ensure peace and has warned that only the state is responsible for protecting the vote.

Voting Day Proceedings

Despite the isolated incident, voting across Mbeere North's 55,124 registered voters largely commenced smoothly at 6:00 AM EAT. Mr. Muturi cast his ballot at Kanyuombora Primary School early in the morning, expressing satisfaction with the initial process. The IEBC has deployed KIEMS kits for biometric voter identification and has made the 2022 voter register available at each polling station for verification. Polling stations are scheduled to close at 5:00 PM EAT, with any lost time to be compensated. The results of this closely watched by-election are expected to have significant political reverberations, shaping future alliances and strategies within Kenya's dynamic political landscape.