Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has sensationally claimed that fifteen thousand pre-marked ballot papers are currently being distributed inside Pazuri Homes, a popular lodging located barely two kilometres from Embu town, under the direct supervision of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki ahead of the hotly contested Mbeere North by-election.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday morning, Gachagua alleged that the secretive operation at Pazuri Homes started Tuesday night and involves senior government officials stuffing ballot boxes in favour of the Kenya Kwanza candidate.
He further warned that plainclothes police officers have been deployed to cause chaos at polling stations across Mbeere North starting from 5 pm on voting day to create confusion and enable rigging.
Meanwhile, former Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria posted on his official X account that hired goons are already attacking polling agents belonging to opposition-leaning parties while they travel to various polling centres in Mbeere North constituency.
Kuria claimed the thugs are targeting agents transporting election materials and voter registers in an attempt to delay or completely block monitoring of the vote.
Residents along the Embu-Mbeere route raised the alarm after noticing an unusually high number of Super Metro buses ferrying only male passengers towards Mbeere North.
One villager who sought anonymity told journalists, “I passed four Super Metro buses on this Embu road, and every single one was packed with men only. You could clearly see they were not ordinary travellers. I highly suspect they are the goons headed to disrupt the Mbeere North by-election.”
Eyewitnesses at Pazuri Homes reported seeing several government vehicles with tinted windows parked inside the compound since Tuesday evening.
Heavy security presence was also noted at the entrance, with uniformed and non-uniformed officers turning away curious members of the public. Hotel staff declined to comment when approached, saying they had been instructed not to speak to the media.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) officials in Embu County distanced themselves from the allegations and insisted all ballot papers remain sealed at the constituency tallying centre under 24-hour police guard.
However, opposition leaders allied to Azimio have demanded immediate access to Pazuri Homes for an independent search, threatening to mobilise supporters if their request is ignored.
Police Commander Embu East confirmed receiving reports of suspicious activity at Pazuri Homes but said officers sent to verify found nothing irregular. “We have checked the premises, and everything appears normal. We urge the public to avoid spreading unverified claims that can cause unnecessary tension,” the commander stated.
Security has been heightened along major roads and around polling stations following intelligence reports of possible infiltration by hired criminals travelling on Super Metro buses.
Human rights defenders and election observers have called on the DCI to urgently investigate the serious allegations of pre-marked ballots at Pazuri Homes and the reported movement of goons on Super Metro shuttles.
Many fear a repeat of past by-elections marred by violence and ballot stuffing if swift action is not taken. Voting in the Mbeere North constituency began with over 78,000 registered voters expected to choose a successor to Georgfrey Ruku.
The outcome is seen as a major test for Deputy President Kindiki’s political influence in his home region after he openly endorsed the Kenya Kwanza candidate.
