The morning calm in Mbeere North broke sharply on Thursday when former Attorney General Justin Muturi became embroiled in a brief but heated confrontation with a resident, moments after he cast his vote. The encounter took place just outside Siakago Social Hall, one of the busiest polling centres in the constituency.

Muturi, who arrived early to vote in the high-stakes by-election, had already been at the centre of tension minutes earlier after ejecting an agent allied to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA). The individual, identified as Chinga Ward MCA Kiruga Thuku, was escorted out of the polling area over what Muturi described as a “clear violation of election law.”

In remarks to local reporters, Muturi defended his actions and insisted that the rules on conduct inside polling stations were not optional.

“It is disappointing and telling that those who should be defending the law are the same ones breaking it,” he said. “An MCA from Nyeri, Karuga, travelled all the way to Siakago dressed in full UDA party colours, right inside a polling centre. This is illegal. Election Day is not a campaign stage, and polling stations are not theatres for party branding. I made it very clear — not here, not today. He was removed from the station as required. The law stands. The law must be obeyed.”

Muturi later doubled down on the need for neutrality within election spaces. “We have told him you cannot come to the polling area when you are donning party colours,” he added. “If he is an authorised agent or even an observer, he must come wearing other kinds of clothes, not party colours.”

Witnesses said the subsequent confrontation between Muturi and a resident erupted as he walked out of the polling centre. The exchange quickly escalated, drawing security officers and onlookers before the situation was brought under control. No injuries were reported.

Polling across Mbeere North has largely remained peaceful, though the day’s events underscored growing tensions in a constituency with nine candidates on the ballot and high political stakes.

IEBC officials maintained that the polls were running smoothly and reminded voters to adhere to guidelines aimed at preventing intimidation and political messaging within voting stations.

As the by-election continues, the clash has already added a dramatic layer to a contest many expected to unfold quietly. For residents of Mbeere North, it was a tense reminder of how quickly emotions can flare on a day meant to reaffirm the democratic process.