Democratic Party (DP) candidate in the Mbeere North parliamentary by-elections, Newton Karish, has vowed to stay put and clinch the seat amid claims of state-sponsored attacks.

Speaking in Kanyuombora on Sunday, November 16, 2025, Karish disclosed an elaborate scheme by the government to disrupt the opposition meetings, pointing to a huge presence of officers in the venue where the opposition leaders were to hold their rally.

The former musician, who faces strong opposition from UDA’s Leo wa Muthende, however, remained bullish about overcoming the challenges and clinching the seat.

United Opposition’s firstborn

“Very soon I would be the firstborn of the United Opposition. The government is determined to stop us, but we are determined to move to the end and win his elections,” he stated.

In his claims of the plot to thwart the United Opposition rally, Karish claimed that law enforcement officers had been deployed to a field in Kanyuombora where the opposition rally was scheduled to take place.

Also watch: Opposition warns of intimidation, saying the government fears defeat in Mbeere North.

The aspirant also called out the area governor for her involvement in the campaigns against the opposition faction.

“As we stand here, police have occupied the field we intend to use for our rally,” he added.

Additionally, Karish also accused the government of dishing out money to youths and causing havoc.
“Ironically, yesterday, the governor went out to write a statement that we intend to disrupt our own rally. How can we be the ones stopping our own rally?’ he posed.

Lacking support

His assertions were echoed by Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji, who decried a plot to paint the DP candidate as lacking support through intimidatory tactics aimed at scaring away politicians allied to the rival faction.

“It has not been easy making our way to this place. I have been informed that there are police everywhere. Since yesterday, we have been threatened not to step in Mbeere North. They want it to appear as if Karish has no friends or support,” he added.