A tense political battle is brewing in Mbeere North as the Democratic Congress Party (DCP) prepares to challenge the outcome of the recent by-election that declared UDA’s Leo Wamuthende the winner. Speaking during the memorial service of DCP founding member Joseph Munyao in Nairobi yesterday, the party’s head of strategy, Dr. Peter Mbae, outlined details of the case they intend to present before the courts in an attempt to overturn the results.
Dr. Mbae told mourners that the DCP legal team has compiled what it considers substantial evidence pointing to what they believe were irregularities and possible breaches of electoral law during the by-election. He hinted that their petition will focus heavily on what the party sees as a series of inconsistencies in the conduct of the election, both by the electoral commission and government officials.
One of the key issues the party intends to raise is the difference between the names appearing on the IEBC register and those printed on the ballot paper for the UDA candidate. While the IEBC register identifies the candidate as Leonard Muriuki, the ballot paper bore the name Leo Wamuthende. Dr. Mbae questioned why the commission did not reconcile or update the details, suggesting that the discrepancy raises concerns about candidate identity and compliance with electoral procedures.
He further claimed that their team had gathered witness accounts indicating that individuals who are not residents of Mbeere North were allegedly facilitated to vote illegally. According to him, such actions, if verified, would undermine the credibility of the poll.
Dr. Mbae also questioned whether the IEBC may have conducted unauthorized voter registration during the by-election period, noting that the constitution expressly prohibits any new registrations once a by-election has been declared.
Additionally, the party intends to challenge the presence of Cabinet Secretaries Geoffrey Ruku and Alice Wahome at polling stations on election day. Dr. Mbae accused the two officials of influencing the voting process, arguing that their involvement compromised the integrity of the election.
By Nation