United Opposition Accuses State of Plotting to Rig November 27 By-Elections
Kalonzo Musyoka addresses the media during the Opposition’s statement on alleged election rigging, with Rigathi Gachagua on his right and Eugene Wamalwa on his left.
The United Opposition coalition has accused the government of orchestrating a widespread, coordinated scheme to rig the November 27, 2025 by-elections, alleging ballot manipulation, voter bribery, state-sponsored violence and abuse of public resources.
Led by Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka the coalition alleged widespread voter bribery, deployment of state officers for political purposes, ballot manipulation and planned violence across several battleground constituencies.
Speaking during a joint press briefing on Wednesday, Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka said the upcoming by-elections had exposed “a desperate and well-coordinated attempt to subvert the will of the people.”
“Kenyans are clearly hungry for change, and they see these by-elections as a chance to register their feelings about the current regime. That dissatisfaction is real, and the regime knows it. That is why they are trying every trick to frustrate the people’s will.”Musyoka said.
The Opposition cited six alleged schemes, including heavy deployment of police, bribery by top state officials, improper ballot serialisation, extended campaigns, mobilisation of hired gangs, and misuse of mobile phones inside polling stations.
Musyoka said unmarked vehicles associated with security agencies had been “roaming Narok Town, Malava and Mbeere North to intimidate voters,” adding that “this is unacceptable in a democratic nation.”
“We will not be cowed by threats or intimidation. Every Kenyan must have their vote counted fairly,” Musyoka said.
He further alleged that state officials “from MPs to Cabinet Secretaries and even the President” had been bribing voters using state resources such as relief food, government vehicles, and even job appointment letters.
On ballot integrity, Musyoka claimed 820,000 printed ballots were not properly serialized, creating “a dangerous loophole for ballot-stuffing.”
“We are aware that 30,000 pre-marked ballots have already been dispatched to Magarini, Malava and Mbeere North through compromised presiding officers. This strikes at the heart of electoral integrity,” he said.
Musyoka added that IEBC had failed to address concerns raised earlier on the misuse of mobile phones in polling stations, describing the Commission’s response as “weak and insufficient.”
He urged the IEBC to “rise to the moment,” Opposition supporters to “remain peaceful but vigilant,” agents to ensure ballot boxes are empty before voting begins, and the media to “shine a light on every malpractice.”
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, now Democratic for the Citizens Party leader, issued his sharpest criticism yet of the electoral body.
“It is now very clear that IEBC is totally compromised. For the first time in our history, IEBC has confirmed they will use plainclothes officers a tool for ballot stuffing.”He said
He claimed that 15,000 pre-marked ballots were being distributed in Mbeere North from a hotel near Siakago allegedly under the supervision of senior officials.
Gachagua warned that gangs had been mobilised to cause chaos outside polling centres while plainclothes officers sparked chaos inside to facilitate the insertion of pre-marked ballots.
“If William Ruto and IEBC think they will rig the 2027 General Election, they are in for a rude shock, Kenya is not Tanzania the people here are resilient.” He said.
He further alleged a plan to stage 5:00pm chaos to delay counting until nightfall, followed by power blackouts orchestrated by the Energy ministry to create a “perfect environment” for electoral fraud.
“If these ballots are introduced successfully, this country will enter political tension from tomorrow until 2027,” he warned.
DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa echoed the allegations, claiming that 10,000 pre-marked ballots had been sent to Malava and another 10,000 to Magarini.
“We already lost a life in Kabuchai after police used live bullets and the will be on the hands of those in charge of this violence.”He said.
Wamalwa said agents had been mobilised to counter alleged ballot-stuffing schemes and urged IEBC to ensure no compromised officers entered polling centres.
“We call on the IEBC to act decisively any failure to do so risks bloodshed and a loss of faith in the electoral process,” Wamalwa added.
The Opposition called on IEBC, civil society groups and the media to ensure transparency, warning that failure to address the concerns raised would erode Kenya’s democratic foundations ahead of the 2027 General Election.
