Voting ongoing in Mbeere North./HANDOUTThe ruling UDA party and United Opposition groups are trading claims of voter bribery in Mbeere North constituency as the voting exercise continues.
UDA candidate Leo Wa Muthende claimed that agents of his rival Newton Karish of DP were dishing out money to voters but remained hopeful voters won't be swayed.
“There are places they are attempting to give voters Sh100 or Sh200, and I will give you the list later especially in Evurore ward.” Muthende said immediately after casting his ballot.
The exercise is so tense that at one time, DP leader Justin Muturi ordered neighbouring Nyeri’s Chinga MCA Kiruga Thuku to get out of a polling station.
Muturi alleged that Thuku was in violation of the electoral laws by appearing at a polling station while dressed in UDA party colours.
“We ordered him (Thuku) out. Even if he is an accredited agent, he can’t show up in party colours,” Muturi said at Siakago social hall where the MCA arrived while in yellow colours of UDA. Muturi’s team claimed Thuku was attempting to bribe voters.
“I have this morning cast my vote at Kanyuambora Primary School, and I can confirm that the process is smooth, calm and moving efficiently. Even with the heavy police presence meant to instil fear and discourage participation the people of Mbeere remain unmoved,” Muturi later said.
In a video seen by the Star, security was visibly enhanced across the constituency, with officers deployed early to maintain order and provide reassurance. Their presence contributed to the calm environment that defined the early hours of voting.
As polling stations opened at 6am, voters moved steadily in queues through the verification desks before proceeding to cast their ballots.
IEBC officials reiterated that polling would continue uninterrupted until 5pm. Any lost time at specific stations, should it occur, will be compensated at closing time, and all voters in the queue by 5pm will be allowed to cast their votes.
