Police move to quell unrest in Mbeere North as vote counting gets underway

Police in Siakago, Mbeere North, on Thursday evening dispersed a group of young people who had gathered outside a polling station as vote counting was underway.

The group, made up mostly of young men, had begun chanting and singing anti-government slogans while moving closer to the station’s main gate.

The gathering, initially small, grew steadily, raising concerns over possible disruption.

Officers stationed at the venue intervened and dispersed the crowd, restoring calm around the polling centre.

Vote counting continued inside under the supervision of election officials, party agents, and accredited observers.

Earlier in the day, the ruling UDA party and the United Opposition exchanged accusations of voter bribery in Mbeere North Constituency. 

UDA candidate Leo Wa Muthende alleged that money was being offered to voters.

He, however, expressed confidence that voters would make independent choices.

“There are places they are attempting to give voters Sh100 or Sh200, and I will give you the list later,” Muthende claimed after casting his ballot. 

Tensions rose briefly when former CS Justin Muturi asked Nyeri’s Chinga MCA Kiruga Thuku to leave a polling station.

Muturi said Thuku’s attire—bearing UDA party colours—contravened electoral guidelines on party branding at polling stations.

Muturi’s team also alleged attempts to influence voters, but the claims were not independently confirmed.

“I have this morning cast my vote at Kanyuambora Primary School, and I can confirm that the process is smooth, calm and moving efficiently.

Even with the heavy police presence meant to instil fear and discourage participation, the people of Mbeere remain unmoved,” Muturi later said.

However, Thuku denied wearing party colours during the Mbeere North by-election, amid chaos that erupted at Siakago Social Hall during the voting process.

Addressing the press, Kiruga insisted his jacket was ordinary yellow clothing.

“The law targets branded party colors. My jacket is normal yellow, the kind I wear to church or weddings. Yellow represents compassion and peace; I was simply being peaceful,” he said.

A video seen by The Star showed heightened security across the constituency, with officers deployed early to maintain order and reassure voters.

Their presence contributed to the calm atmosphere reported during the early hours of voting.

Shortly after tallying began, police fired teargas and shots in the air to disperse crowds attempting to force their way into the tallying centre.

The electoral commission reiterated that entry into tallying centres is limited strictly to accredited individuals bearing official identification and badges.