Kenyan opposition leaders accused the government of plotting to rig by-elections in Mbeere North with 15,000 pre-marked ballot papers. Ruling party officials countered by alleging opposition plans to intimidate voters and engage in bribery. These claims emerged hours before the November 27, 2025, polls in several constituencies.
On November 26, 2025, leaders from the United Opposition, including Rigathi Gachagua of the Democracy for Citizens Party, Kalonzo Musyoka of Wiper, and Eugene Wamalwa of DAP-K, held a press conference in Nairobi. They alleged an elaborate rigging scheme by the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the government, targeting battleground areas like Malava, Magarini, and Mbeere North ahead of the November 27 by-elections.
The opposition claimed that 30,000 pre-marked ballots had been dispatched to these regions, with 15,000 specifically to Mbeere North and 10,000 to Malava. They pointed to flaws in the serialization of 820,000 printed ballots, creating opportunities for stuffing boxes during disruptions caused by state-sponsored goons. Kalonzo Musyoka stated, "We have credible information that the serialisation of 820,000 printed ballots was not done correctly, creating a loophole for ballot stuffing. 30,000 remarked ballots have been dispatched to Magarini, Malava and Mbeere North."
The leaders implicated Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan in the plot and demanded the commission ensure impartiality. Gachagua announced that opposition agents would monitor polling stations closely, insisting on frisking all entrants and barring armed plainclothes officers. He said, "We want to allow IEBC to not allow officers into the polling stations. No agents should carry weapons inside the stations unless they are uniformed. We have asked our agents not to allow any voting until all agents are frisked."
In response, Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Geoffrey Ruku and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, speaking at a separate briefing on the same day, accused the opposition of planning violence to disrupt voting in UDA strongholds like Mbeere North. Mbarire claimed, "Their plan is to disrupt the voting tomorrow, we know they are focusing on our strongholds, in the areas where our UDA candidate is strong. They want to ensure that when it gets to a certain time tomorrow, voting stops." They also alleged opposition-led voter bribery in areas such as Kanyombora and Ishiara, while assuring residents of adequate security and urging peace.
The National Police Service warned politicians against interference, and IEBC Chairperson Ethokon Edong cautioned candidates against bringing goons to tallying centers. Both sides expressed confidence in their candidates, heightening tensions for the by-elections in 24 areas.