Former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to address growing tension in Mbeere North, warning that the situation could undermine confidence in Kenya’s electoral process ahead of the November by-election.
In a message posted on X, Kuria shared a video showing a group of residents in Mbeere North cautioning politicians against visiting the area.
He accused the electoral body of ignoring earlier alerts about potential voter intimidation and lax enforcement of election laws.
“Dear IEBC. Is this how 2027 will be? I have raised this with your Electoral Operations Commissioner severally. No action,” Kuria wrote, insisting that elections should be handled as “a process, not an event.”
Kuria’s remarks come at a time when the IEBC is under pressure to rebuild public trust following leadership changes and lingering controversies from the 2022 General Election.
The Mbeere North by-election, set for later this month, was ordered by the High Court after the previous results were nullified over irregularities.
The constituency, located in Embu County, has recently witnessed heightened political activity as rival camps prepare for the vote.
Kuria further argued that the IEBC must assert its independence in managing local elections, saying Mbeere North “belongs to the IEBC, not the state.”
His remarks appeared to challenge what he viewed as undue political interference in the electoral process.
Local administrators and police have yet to issue a formal statement regarding the video or whether investigations are underway.
However, security officials in Embu have reportedly increased patrols to prevent clashes ahead of the poll.