The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced it will deploy both plainclothes and uniformed police officers in “hotly contested” by-election areas, including Mbeere North, as tensions intensify ahead of the November 27 poll.
The move comes amid rising alarm following a video showing former Cabinet Secretary and Chama Cha Kazi (CCK) leader Moses Kuria in Mbeere North with a bandage on his head.
Kuria claims he was attacked by rival supporters while campaigning for the CCK candidate, Daniel Ireri Mbui.
He has called on the IEBC to step up security to prevent further violence.
Kuria’s call for enhanced protection appears to have been heeded, IEBC is now reportedly bolstering its security presence in key polling stations, even deploying officers in civilian clothes to better blend in and monitor possible flashpoints.
The escalation follows serious accusations from other political actors.
Democratic Party (DP) leader Justin Muturi, whose party is also fielding a candidate in the by-election, has written to the IEBC, warning of “plans to invade selected polling centers” using personnel in civilian attire allegedly linked to the national police.
Tensions in Mbeere North have been rising for some time.
Rigathi Gachagua, leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), has also raised the alarm about “politically instigated insecurity,” saying government officials may be orchestrating goonism to intimidate voters.
Kuria, in his own statement, said he has already urged senior election officials to reinforce security around campaign activities.
Whether the IEBC’s stepped-up presence will be enough to calm nerves remains to be seen but it’s clear that the by-election is being closely watched, not just locally, but by national players too.
