IEBC concludes security briefing in Mbeere North ahead of Thursday by-election
By Joel Masibo, November 26, 2025The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has confirmed finalising security briefings in Mbeere North Constituency ahead of the Thursday, November 27, 2025, by-election in the area.
According to the statement issued by the Commission via X on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, the security team led by Deputy County Commissioner Harrison Ngwili assured IEBC of their support and rapid response in case of emerging issues.
Beefing up security
”Commissioner Prof. Francis Aduol led the IEBC team in a consultative meeting with the security team from Mbeere North Constituency ahead of the #27thNovByelections.”
“Commissioner Prof. Aduol thanked the security team for maintaining peace and order during the campaign period and asked for more of their cooperation and support, especially on election day,” the statement said in brief.
This happens shortly after IEBC Mbeere North Returning Officer John Kinyua has come out to respond to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who had advised his supporters not to leave polling stations after voting.
Gachagua is drumming up support for the Democratic Party (DP) candidate Newton Karish against Leo Muthende of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) for the Mbeere North parliamentary seat in the forthcoming mini polls.
Gachagua, leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), has been calling upon Newton Karish supporters to remain at polling stations to combat any election rigging attempts.
Also watch: IEBC warns against photographing ballot papers after voting.
Guarding the votes
“Tunataka vijana wetu wa Mbeere North wachunge Kura Zetu wafike 5:00am kwa laini wapige kura, alafu wasirudi nyumbani wabaki hapo kwa polling station wachunge kura, wakione kitu yeyote wapige picha watume kwa mtandao,” Gachagua said.
However, while speaking to the media on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at the constituency offices, John Kinyua defied Gachagua’s directives and urged all voters to head home after exercising their democratic duty.
He went on to state that it is a requirement by law for a voter to vacate the polling station immediately after voting and give time for the IEBC to carry out their mandate.
Free and fair exercise
“IEBC, we are ready to conduct free and fair byelections, and I wish to ask our voters, when you cast your vote, accept to leave the polling stations, since that is the requirement of the law, so that we can conduct our work,” Kinyua said.
Meanwhile, IEBC has called upon voters and politicians to maintain peace during the by-election exercise in different parts of the country.