Justin Muturi, leader of the Umoja na Haki Democratic Party, has accused the government of orchestrating a rigged electoral process during the Mbeere North by-election held in November 2025.
Speaking on March 5, 2026, Muturi claimed that the voting process was manipulated, with government agents allegedly transporting voters from various parts of the country to favor a preferred candidate.
The former National Assembly Speaker specifically cited instances of voter bribery, intimidation, and interference by state actors that, according to him, influenced the outcome in favor of Leo Wamuthende, who was declared the winner.
Muturi explained that while he had confidence in the initial voting patterns during his participation, the official tallying process was marred by reports of violence and disruption, undermining the credibility of the results.
His claims align with previous concerns raised by other political figures, including Gloria Orwoba, who called on the Democratic Party candidate to challenge the election results in court due to suspected irregularities.
Although some voter petitions were struck out by the High Court in Embu on technical grounds, a separate petition by candidate Newton Kariuki is still active and scheduled for hearing on March 9, 2026.
Muturi’s statements signal that the legal and political contest over Mbeere North is ongoing. His allegations also serve as a warning ahead of the 2027 general elections about the potential risks of state influence in Kenya’s electoral process.
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Politics