Former Attorney-General and Umoja na Haki Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi has intensified concerns ahead of the November 27, 2025 Mbeere North parliamentary by-election, formally accusing the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) of coordinating voter bribery, intimidation and attempts to interfere with the electoral process.

On an X post dated November 21, 2025, Muturi wrote that the schemes to corrupt the Mbeere North by-election were no longer rumours.

“The schemes to corrupt the Mbeere North by-election are no longer rumours, they are orchestrated, financed and deployed. Importing goons, bribing voters, and plotting to intimidate citizens will not rewrite the will of the people.”

Letter to IEBC

In a letter addressed to IEBC Chairman Erastus Edung Ethekon, Muturi protested what he termed as “planned use of armed goons from Nairobi and Thika, among other areas, in favour of the UDA candidate, with involvement of National Government Administration officers under the escort and command of National Police Service in civilian clothes.”

He said there were plans to invade polling centres in strongholds of his party’s candidate with the aim of suppressing and disrupting voting on polling day.”

Muturi claimed there was a noticeable presence of “imported goons” in Kanyuambura, Ishiara and Siakago towns, along with police officers from Nairobi whose motive is clearly mischievous.

The letter further cited massive voter bribery at UDA or government rallies and a scheme to have voters photograph ticked ballot papers for money. He described the cited plan as clearly against the principle of the secret ballot in elections.

“We have information that there are already plans to invade selected polling centers in the strongholds of our candidate with the aim of suppressing and disrupting voting on polling day.These plans are given credence by the heavy presence of these imported goons identified within Kanyuambura, Ishiara and Siakago towns as well as a squad of police officers from Nairobi whose motive is clearly mischievous.”

Campaign trail accusations

“I have formally demanded that IEBC stop this lawlessness and guarantee a free, fair and credible election on the 27th. Mbeere North refuses to be bullied. Democracy will not be auctioned,” he added.

The by-election has drawn heightened political interest, with UDA’s Leonard Wa Muthende facing opposition-backed Newton Kariuki (Karish), who is supported by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Muturi.

Gachagua has conducted door-to-door campaigns in Nthawa and Evurore wards, focusing on development and the marketing of muguka and miraa.

“The people of Mbeere North are clear and resolute about their priorities. They know exactly what they want, and nothing will distract them from the future they are determined to shape. We have a date with destiny,” he wrote on November 20.

Muturi expressed confidence in Kariuki, stating: “The intimidation has failed, the bribery has flopped, and the threats have only hardened the resolve of our people. Mbeere North is awake.”

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, campaigning for UDA, accused Gachagua’s team of attempting to collect identity cards in UDA strongholds to lower turnout.