The United Opposition has accused the government of engineering a coordinated effort to influence the upcoming November 27, 2025 by-elections, alleging widespread intimidation, misuse of state resources, and manipulation of electoral processes.

In a press briefing on Tuesday, the coalition described the actions as signs of a regime “desperate to counter a nation clearly hungry for change.” It thanked supporters nationwide for what it said were large and peaceful campaign turnouts, adding that the message of change, expressed through the #WANTAM slogan, is resonating from the mountain regions to the coast and across the lake and Kisii regions.

The coalition led by the former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and DAP-Kenya Party leader Eugene Wamalwa claimed that the state had deployed large numbers of police officers, including plainclothes personnel, to intimidate voters.


They cited incidents in Narok Town, Malava, and Mbeere North where its leaders and supporters were allegedly assaulted.

It also reported sightings of unmarked vehicles in Siakago and Malava, which it claimed were being used not to enhance security but to intimidate residents.

“We are aware of senior government officials engaging in bribery and using state machinery to influence the vote. The government vehicles, as well as relief food and non-food items meant for disaster victims, have been distributed during campaign activities. The issuance of appointment letters to embassies during the campaign period, is an abuse of office and public trust,” Gachagua claimed.

Concerna about ballot integrity formed a major part of the statement. The coalition claimed that the serialization of 820,000 printed ballots was not properly inspected, creating what it described as a dangerous opportunity for ballot stuffing.
“There are 30,000 pre-marked ballots that had been distributed to battleground areas such as Magarini, Malava, and Mbeere North through compromised presiding officers. The regime agents have been conducting illegal campaigns beyond the official period, with police escorts and hired groups,” alleged Wamalwa.

Kalonzo warned of a possible plan to trigger violence during the by-elections, claiming that certain police units, hired goons, and compromised electoral officials were working together to create chaos that would enable ballot tampering. He cited Malava as a key area of concern, alleging that hired groups linked to local political figures may be deployed to provoke violence while being protected by police. He said similar patterns were seen during recent Gen Z protests, where police allegedly failed to stop hired groups.

“We are warning of plans to misuse mobile phones inside polling stations to compromise ballot secrecy and criticized what it called the IEBC’s weak response. We urge the commission to address these issues as part of its first true test,” he said calling on supporters to remain peaceful, vigilant, and to document any irregularities.

The united opposition has also appealed to the media, observers, and civil society to maintain close oversight, insisting that no amount of intimidation would silence the will of the people.