Muturi raises concern over plan to disrupt Mbeere North polls
By Kenneth Mwenda, November 23, 2025Former Cabinet Secretary and Attorney General Justin Muturi has accused leaders of sending 50 young men from outside the region to disrupt political gatherings ahead of the Mbeere North by-election.
Speaking during a public engagement on Sunday, November 23, 2025, Muturi said the group’s actions were a direct attempt to intimidate voters and influence the outcome of the vote.
“Tunataka kuwataadharisha. Hayo mambo mnatupangia. Kila tukienda mkutano mnatuletea vijana. Tunataka kuwaambia ni vizuri, lakini, sisi tunataka kuudhuria mikutano na kuzungumzia watu wetu,” Muturi said.
Also watch: Opposition warns of intimidation, says govt fears defeat in Mbeere North
“Tunataka kuwapatia kitu moja kwa sababu pesa mmepewa. Tukimaliza kuzungumza kujeni mlipe watu wetu. Kwa sababu ni muhimu, hiyo pesa haiwezi rudishwa Nairobi. Hiyo ingine kidogo ni ile wanapora wenyewe. Anapora ankuja kupatia wamama peremende. Mliona akiwapea peremende. Kwani sisi ni watoto wa Nursery?”
Muturi described how the 50 men were being deployed across the constituency.
“Lakini tunataka kuwaonya. Hayo mambo mmepanga, kutoa hao vijana hamsini, mkawaleta wakuje wavuruge hapa Ishiara, Kanyuombora na Siakago.”
“Tuko macho, tunawamlika. Kwa sababu tunajua huo ndio mpango. Mnataka kuakikishwa kwa hapa Ishiara watu hawatapiga kura. Sisis tunataka kuwaakikishia tutapiga kura na tutakuja kulind akura zetu. Sisi hatukuzaliwa jana. Tumewaonea 18.”
Muturi’s comments come ahead of the by-election set for November 27, 2025, following the appointment of MP Geoffrey Ruku to the Cabinet. The contest has attracted national attention, as both Democratic Party candidate Newton Karish and UDA rival Leo wa Muthende aim to strengthen their influence in Mount Kenya East.
Gachagua vows election protection
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, campaigning for Karish in Mbeere North, echoed Muturi’s warnings and promised to safeguard the electoral process.
“Kazi yenu ni kupiga kura mpige kura. Kazi ya kuchunga kura muwachie Riggy G na watu yake. Na msiogope. Mimi, kura ya Wambeere itaibiwa Riggy G akiwa wapi? Hawa Wambeere ni watu yangu. Sasa Wambeere wakipiga kura yao wapatie Karish, itaibiwa Riggy G akiwa wapi? Mimi niko hapa, na nimefanya mpango. Hakuna ata kura moja itapotea,” Gachagua said.
Also watch: CS Ruku accuses Gachagua of buying ID cards in UDA’s Mbeere North strongholds
Gachagua praised residents for actively engaging with their culture. He noted that stories and songs from Mbeere dominate social media platforms, reflecting strong community involvement in the political process.
Addressing concerns over his busy campaign schedule, Gachagua said he had approval from senior leaders to travel to other by-elections before returning to Mbeere North.
“Mimi niko area lakini nimepewa ruhusa na mzee Kivuti amenipatia ruhusa siku moja, nikimbie Narok. Iko by-election huko. Alafu nikimaliza nirudi. Nitatoka leo niende Narok ninyoroshe mkutano moja kubwa alafu nirudi hapa Mbeere,” he said.
The former Deputy President also challenged his opponents directly, questioning their ability to control their supporters and influence voters.
“So, where you have left to accomplish so that you can earn respect is failing. And we are asking Karinda, when we chase Kasongo to Sugoi, where will you go? And Muthende? He is from Mombasa,” Gachagua said.
The by-election has already drawn attention from Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who criticised door-to-door tea campaigns by Gachagua’s team as culturally inappropriate. Kindiki argued that actual development matters more than symbolic gestures.