Former Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has criticized the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) after a viral video surfaced showing people issuing threats against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua ahead of his planned visit to Mbeere North.
Kuria raised questions about whether the upcoming Mbeere North by-election would be conducted in a fair and transparent manner, expressing concern that some political groups were being openly discouraged from campaigning in the area.
He noted that he had earlier informed the electoral body about growing tension and hostility toward certain political factions, but the IEBC allegedly failed to act.
“Dear IEBC, is this what 2027 will look like?” Kuria wrote in a statement. “I have repeatedly raised this issue with your Electoral Operations Commissioner, but nothing has been done. Elections are not just a one-day event — they are a continuous process.
Mbeere North is currently under the IEBC’s authority, not the government’s. You are responsible for ensuring fairness and maintaining public confidence.”
Kuria’s remarks followed the circulation of a video showing four men making direct threats against Gachagua, who is set to visit Mbeere North on November 16 to campaign for the Democratic Party (DP) candidate.
In the video, one man could be heard warning that Gachagua would face hostility during his visit. “From today, we have no other business until the day Rigathi Gachagua comes to Mbeere North.
We will show him that men live here; if he’s a man, he should come and prove it,” the man said.
Another speaker in the video cautioned Gachagua against attending the rally with his wife, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi. “Come on the 16th if you are brave, but don’t bring Pastor Dorcas.
We respect women, so come alone and let’s deal with each other as men,” the person said.
The Mbeere North parliamentary seat fell vacant after President William Ruto appointed the area’s former MP, Geoffrey Ruku, as Cabinet Secretary for Public Service.
In September, Gachagua’s political outfit, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), announced that it would not field a candidate in the by-election. Instead, it pledged to support the Democratic Party (DP), which is linked to former Public Service CS Justin Muturi, in an effort to strengthen opposition unity.
However, just weeks before the election, Muturi and several other candidates accused the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) of planning to interfere with the vote through rigging — claims that were swiftly dismissed by CS Ruku.
Kuria’s outburst has reignited debate over the IEBC’s ability to guarantee credible elections, especially as Kenya approaches the 2027 general elections.
Many observers have echoed Kuria’s sentiment that the electoral body must act firmly against threats and intimidation if it hopes to restore public trust and ensure political fairness across all regions.
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