EMBU, Kenya- The exercise of securing the Mbeere North by-election ballot boxes at the Embu Law Courts’ Safe Custody was completed on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, in a tightly coordinated operation involving all parties to the petition.
The operation was presided over by the Acting Deputy Registrar and Resident Magistrate, Mercy Kinyua, and witnessed by representatives of all parties in the case.
The exercise began at the Embu Law Courts, where the parties were first briefed before proceeding to the Safe Custody room.
In a show of transparency, the Safe Custody room was locked in the presence of all parties, with each representative issued with keys that will be used to unlock the four doors leading to the Safe Custody room should access be required during the proceedings.
Those present included advocates for the two main contenders, Dr. Adrian Kamotho representing Mbeere North MP Leonard Wamuthende, and Kariuki Njiiri representing Newton Kariuki Ndwiga alias “Karish”, as well as Agnes Kinyua, the Embu County Returning Officer representing the IEBC, and Mercy Kinyua on behalf of the Embu Law Courts.
After securing the Safe Custody room, the team proceeded to the IEBC offices in Embu, where they witnessed the removal of the ballot boxes.
The boxes were then transported under joint supervision to the Embu Law Courts for safekeeping.
Speaking after the exercise, Acting Deputy Registrar Mercy Kinyua said the operation had gone on smoothly.
“The transporting and securing of the ballot boxes from the IEBC offices to the Embu Law Courts’ Safe Custody has been smooth. We have not witnessed any hitches during the exercise. The ballot boxes are now under the custody of the Embu Law Courts as had been directed by Justice Richard Mwongo,” she said, noting that all procedures were followed as required.
Dr. Adrian Kamotho confirmed that the exercise was conducted strictly in line with the court orders.
“We came here to witness the whole exercise. It was important for us to be present so that we could be sure that indeed the Mbeere North by-election ballot boxes were stored where Justice Mwongo had directed,” Kamotho said.
On his part, advocate Kariuki Njiiri, representing Newton Kariuki, said it was crucial that all parties be present throughout the process.
“We followed the exercise from the beginning to the end, and nothing was amiss,” he said.
Chief Magistrate Francis Kiambia, who was also present, assured the parties that the court had complied fully with the orders and prepared a secure room for the ballot boxes.
“As the administration of the Embu Law Courts, we have ensured there is a safe room to store the ballot boxes. They will be guarded 24 hours a day throughout the hearing,” he said.
At least 134 ballot boxes and other electoral materials used in the Mbeere North by-election were secured.
In the order issued by Justice Richard Mwongo, the court directed that the electoral materials be secured to preserve their integrity if it grants the petitioners’ request for a recount and scrutiny of votes.
All parties to the case have been issued with keys each to allow joint access to the storage room at the High Court where the materials are being kept.
With the ballot boxes now safely secured at the Embu Law Courts, the Mbeere North by-election petition will proceed as directed by Justice Richard Mwongo, with the first hearing scheduled for March 13, 2026.
