International Community watching us on polls, Moses Kuria tells state

Former Trade Cabinet Secretary and adviser to the president Moses Kuria./FILE

Former Trade Cabinet Secretary and adviser to the president Moses Kuria has warned over incidents of election-related violence ahead of Thursday’s by-elections, saying they are a pointer to what may happen in the next general election.  

Kuria has claimed that there is a plot to rig the 2027 elections but warned that Kenyans will not accept any attempt by President William Ruto’s UDA to retain power through fraud.

He said the international community was following events in the country as Kenya gears up for the next poll, warning the Independent Electoral and Boundary Commission (IEBC) to tame those flouting campaign rules. 

“I want to tell the government: the international community is watching. How we conduct these elections is of interest to the international community,” Kuria said.

The outspoken ex-CS has pointed at recent events in neighbouring Tanzania where several people were reportedly killed during a one-sided election that saw Samia Suluhu Hassan win with about a 98 percent margin.

The former Gatundu South MP said Kenyans are too enlightened to allow electoral mischief, saying nobody should dream of trying such here.

“You think whatever happened in Tanzania will be replicated here? Kenyans are not Tanzanians. Don’t try it here. It will not be business as usual in Kenya.  It won’t be business as usual if you try that monkey business here. Kenyans' level of tolerance for nonsense is at its lowest. Any plot to rig elections can’t work here,” he said on Saturday night during an interview with Embu-based journalists.

Kuria is campaigning for Ireri Mbui, who is contesting for the Mbeere North parliamentary seat through the Chama Cha Kazi Party.

Kuria said he was among the first persons to raise concerns about threats of violence after some youths were caught on camera warning DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua not to set foot in Mbeere North.

And last evening, he cited an incident of violence in Narok and Chwele, in the Kabuchai constituency, Bungoma County, where Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya was reportedly attacked by suspected goons while campaigning in a ward by-election for an opposition candidate.

Kuria says Kenyans cannot be intimidated by government machinery, recalling past incidents where opposition candidates triumphed in Juja and Kiambaa during the second term of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.  

“How did UDA come into power? There were those by-elections in Juja and then Kiambaa, and we supported UDA against the government, and I was then Uhuru’s MP in Gatundu. They threatened to rig it, but that never happened.”

CCK’s Mbui is facing DP’s Newton Karish who is backed by the joint Opposition, while UDA’s Leo Wamuthende enjoys the support of the government led by President Ruto, who has his Deputy Kithure Kindiki, Public Service CS Godfrey Ruku, and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, among other top luminaries, to lead the campaigns.