Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (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.

While speaking to the media on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at the constituency offices, he defied Gachagua’s orders 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.

Watch: IEBC reacts to Gachagua urging voters to remain at polling centres after voting

He further assured all Mbeere North residents of a free and fair byelection, saying that they will transparently conduct the elections.

“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 be able to conduct our work.”

Gachagua’s sentiments

This comes days after the former deputy president urged his supporters, especially the young people, not to leave the polling station after voting and to help keep a watchful eye on the elections and record any unlawful or suspicious activity during the election day.

“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.

The IEBC CEO, Hussein Marijan Hussein, who was present during the presser, assured Mbeere North locals of credible elections, saying that the IEBC is there to provide free and fair elections.

He continued to state that it will be a multisectoral approach, with other people drawn from agencies such as the media and election observers, adding that there should be no worry about any election offence.

Security situation

With Mbeere North having been mapped as a high-tension area, he went ahead to give a security briefing, saying that two officers have been deployed per polling station, with over 40 officers manning the tallying centre, with the number set to increase. He further said that the tallying centre will also be cordoned off.

He went ahead to state that patrol teams have already been set up, saying that there won’t be any instance of a security flaw, insisting that the same has been done in the other 22 byelection zones.