Human Rights Activist Raises Alarm Over Alleged Plans to Disrupt Mbeere North By-Election

 

Human rights advocate Kipkorir Ngetich has issued a strongly worded statement expressing concern over what he describes as “emerging threats to democratic processes” ahead of the upcoming Mbeere North by-election.

Ngetich claims that remarks recently made by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, and former Attorney-General Justin Muturi—alleging that the government intends to interfere with the polls—amount to “early propaganda designed to discredit the election outcome.”

According to Ngetich, the three leaders are “preparing the ground to reject results even before the first ballot is cast,” adding that polling data and local sentiment “appear to favour the UDA candidate, who has campaigned on a message of development, stability and unity.”

Allegations of Plans to Disrupt the Election

Ngetich further alleges—without providing verified evidence—that individuals linked to former Deputy President Gachagua and Nyandarua Senator Methu are “secretly mobilising youths to disrupt polling stations under the guise of exposing rigging.”

He claims the purported plan involves “targeting specific polling stations, attacking electoral officials, and burning ballot boxes to justify unfounded accusations of malpractice.”

“These are extremely serious allegations, and I urge the security agencies, including the Inspector-General of Police and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, to monitor any activities that may compromise peace,” Ngetich said.

All the leaders mentioned in Ngetich’s statement have not responded publicly to these claims, and none of the allegations have been independently verified.

Concerns Over Escalating Tribal Politics

The activist also criticised what he termed the “tribal card” allegedly being played in Mt. Kenya regional politics, accusing Gachagua of promoting “a divisive ethnic chieftaincy that is losing traction among Embu and Meru communities.”

He argued that the region’s political future “cannot be built on coercion, tribalism, intimidation or threats” and urged voters in Mbeere North to choose leaders “based on development agendas and not fear or ethnic mobilisation.”

Call for Peaceful Campaigns

Ngetich stressed the importance of credible, peaceful and issue-based campaigns, warning against “dictatorial and primitive politics” that he claims are creeping into local discourse.

“I call on the people of Mt. Kenya to reject any attempts to drag the region backwards,” he said. “Let the people of Mbeere North elect their leader freely and peacefully, guided by their hopes for development—not by chaos.”

IEBC Independence Highlighted

He concluded by defending the independence of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), noting that Kenya has a long record of elections overseen by independent institutions.

“Elections must be protected from misinformation and deliberate attempts to undermine public confidence,” he said.