Opposition Warns of Massive State Interference Ahead of By-Elections

Opposition Warns of Massive State Interference Ahead of By-Elections

United Opposition leaders, speaking at the SKM Command Centre ahead of the by-elections, issued a unified statement to journalists, calling for transparency and fair conduct.

By MAXIMILLA WAFULA & PATRICK KIMANZI 

The County Diary News 

The United Opposition has issued an explosive warning on the eve of the by-elections, accusing the current regime of orchestrating a countrywide, well-coordinated plan to intimidate voters, bribe citizens, and manipulate ballot papers ahead of tomorrow’s vote.

In a detailed statement, the Opposition thanked supporters nationwide for turning out in large numbers during peaceful campaigns, saying Kenyans are hungry for change and are ready to express their dissatisfaction with the government through the ballot.

The Opposition claimed the state has deployed large numbers of police officers—both in uniform and plain clothes—to intimidate communities, especially in Narrow Town, Malawa, Chicago and Merino. They accused security teams, including the “infamous Subaru unit,” of roaming neighbourhoods to scare voters instead of protecting them, calling it unacceptable in a democracy.

They also accused senior state officers, including MPs, MCAs, chiefs, PSs, CSs and top Executive leaders of distributing relief food, using government vehicles for campaigns and openly bribing voters in battleground constituencies. They described this as a blatant abuse of public trust and state resources.

Another major concern raised was the alleged improper serialisation of 820,000 ballot papers, which they said creates a loophole for ballot-stuffing. According to the Opposition, 30,000 pre-marked ballots have already been dispatched to targeted areas, with plans to insert them during orchestrated chaos at polling stations. They further questioned the unexplained printing of ballot papers in Greece, saying it raises fresh doubts about electoral credibility. IEBC’s response was described as weak and insufficient.

They added that regime agents have continued campaigning past the legal deadline, escorted by police and protected by hired goons armed with pangas and rungus. In Malawa and other areas, they warned of plans to spark violence so compromised officials can use confusion to sneak in fake ballots.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission was criticised for failing to address concerns raised by the Opposition, media and civil society. They said this is the new commission’s first true test and urged it to confront the challenges or risk losing the remaining public trust.

Supporters were urged to turn out in large numbers, remain peaceful and document every irregularity. Agents were directed to ensure ballot boxes are empty before voting begins, demand that no firearms are inside polling stations except for officers in uniform, and remain at their stations until results are transmitted.

Election observers and the media were asked to maintain vigilance and expose any malpractice.

Despite the alleged threats, the Opposition expressed confidence in Kenyans’ resilience, saying the will of the people is sacred and cannot be bought or broken. The statement concluded with a call for unity and vigilance: tomorrow, Kenyans must vote with courage, protect their democracy and affirm that truth may be delayed but cannot be denied.