Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu has raised concerns over the conduct of last week’s by-elections, claiming the opposition’s victory was undermined by irregularities.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV, Nyutu alleged that Public Service CS George Ruku, accompanied by armed personnel and plainclothes officers, disrupted polling in Mbeere North and removed opposition agents from the station.
“The opposition did not lose, victory was robbed. Public Service CS George Ruku invaded a polling station in Mbeere North with armed goons and plainclothed officers and threw out opposition agents. What happened after that can only be told by Ruku,” Nyutu said.
The senator highlighted voter suppression as a key factor affecting the results, cautioning that the upcoming end-term elections could be more challenging.
He referenced previous incidents in Narok, where he claims government-linked actors allegedly influenced the process during a visit by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Kenya has a history of contentious elections, particularly in constituencies with strong political competition between ruling and opposition parties.
By-elections are often viewed as indicators of public sentiment ahead of general elections, making transparency and security at polling stations critical for maintaining public trust.
Nyutu’s remarks come amid broader discussions on electoral fairness and the integrity of Kenya’s voting processes.
The senator emphasized that numerical results from the recent by-elections should be interpreted cautiously due to reported disruptions.
Nyutu urged authorities to ensure that end-term elections are conducted in a transparent manner, stressing that lessons from by-election incidents should guide preparations to safeguard democratic processes and uphold voter confidence across the country.