Mbeere North DP Candidate and Wife Cast Votes

High voter turnout marked today’s Mbeere North by-election as residents cast their ballots in a closely contested race.

At Siakago Social Hall, one of the constituency’s largest polling centres, voters queued from early morning, with IEBC officials managing verification and ballot casting without major delays. A strong security presence helped maintain order, contributing to a calm voting environment across most stations.

The campaign, however, has been tense. UDA candidate Leo Wa Muthende accused agents linked to his rival, Newton Karish of the Democratic Party, of attempting to influence voters through small cash payments. He claimed such incidents occurred in parts of Evurore ward and said he would provide details later.

A separate confrontation arose when DP leader Justin Muturi directed Nyeri’s Chinga MCA, Kiruga Thuku, to leave a polling station. Muturi argued that Thuku, who wore UDA colours, had breached electoral rules and alleged he was involved in voter bribery.

Muturi later said he had voted at Kanyuambora Primary School and found the process orderly, although he criticised what he viewed as heavy police deployment.
The IEBC confirmed that polling would continue until 5 pm, with allowances for extended hours at stations affected by delays.

Officials reiterated that all voters in the queue by the official closing time would be allowed to vote.