NAIROBI, Kenya — The Democratic Party of Kenya (DP Kenya) has raised serious concerns over alleged voter suppression and bribery ahead of the Mbeere North by-election scheduled for 27 November.
In a letter addressed to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Erastus Edung Ethekon, party leader Justin B. Muturi warned that armed individuals from Nairobi and Thika, allegedly backed by government officials and police officers in plain clothes, were being mobilized to intimidate voters in key DP Kenya strongholds.
The party also accused the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and government supporters of engaging in massive voter bribery during ongoing rallies.
The schemes to corrupt the Mbeere North by-election are no longer rumours, they are orchestrated, financed and deployed. Importing goons, bribing voters, and plotting to intimidate citizens will not rewrite the will of the people.I have formally demanded that IEBC stop this
Muturi highlighted a planned scheme to have voters photograph completed ballots in exchange for money, a move he said directly undermines the principle of the secret ballot.
“Our concern is that these activities are aimed at denying voters a free, fair, credible, and verifiable election,” Muturi said in the letter.
DP Kenya called on the IEBC to take immediate action, including providing an updated voter register on polling day and implementing measures to prevent disruptions and unlawful voter manipulation.
