Former Cabinet Secretary and Attorney General Justin Muturi has raised strong concerns about organised attempts to interfere with the upcoming Mbeere North by-election.
He went straight to the point during a public engagement on November 23, 2025, saying that some leaders had allegedly sent 50 young men from outside the region to disrupt political meetings.
Muturi warned that these actions were meant to scare voters and influence how the election will go, a move he said must not be allowed to succeed.
He addressed the crowd with frustration, revealing how these groups were being ferried into different parts of the constituency.
“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.
He went on to accuse the perpetrators of using money to hire the youths and insisted that locals should not be treated like children.
“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 explained that these 50 men had been sent to several areas including Ishiara, Kanyuombora and Siakago.
He told residents that they were fully aware of the plan to disrupt their meetings and interfere with voter turnout.
“Lakini tunataka kuwaonya. Hayo mambo mmepanga, kutoa hao vijana hamsini, mkawaleta wakuje wavuruge hapa Ishiara, Kanyuombora na Siakago,” he added.
Muturi assured locals that such tactics would not break their resolve. “Sisis tunataka kuwaakikishia tutapiga kura na tutakuja kulind akura zetu. Sisi hatukuzaliwa jana. Tumewaonea 18.”
The by-election, set for November 27, 2025, follows the appointment of MP Geoffrey Ruku to the Cabinet.
The race is drawing national attention, especially as Democratic Party candidate Newton Karish faces UDA’s Leo wa Muthende in a battle for influence in Mount Kenya East.
The presence of high-profile politicians shows how important the contest has become.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who has been campaigning for Karish, supported Muturi’s message. He told residents not to fear and promised that their votes would be protected.
“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?” Gachagua said, assuring locals that no vote would disappear under his watch.Gachagua also took time to praise the cultural pride of Mbeere residents, noting the stories and songs shared online.
He explained that although he had to attend another by-election event in Narok, he would return to continue supporting Karish.
He also challenged opponents like Karinda and Muthende, questioning their influence and connection to the local community.Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has also weighed in, criticising door-to-door tea campaigns by Gachagua’s team, arguing that real development matters more than symbolic activities.
The involvement of such senior leaders reflects the high stakes of the Mbeere North by-election as voting day approaches.
