By John Mutiso
Nandi County Senator Samson Cherargei has called for the immediate arrest of former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi following a violent incident at a polling station during Thursday’s Mbeere North by-election.
In a statement on Thursday, November 27, the outspoken UDA senator accused Muturi of aggravated assault and election malpractices after a video emerged showing the former Cabinet Secretary involved in a confrontation at Siakago polling station.
“JB Muturi should be arrested immediately for aggravated assault and election malpractice for attacking an innocent voter and causing disruption at Siakago polling station,” Cherargei stated.
The senator suggested that the incident was a sign of desperation on the part of the opposition camp. “These are signs that their dis-united opposition candidate is losing the Mbeere North constituency by-elections 2025,” he added.
Cherargei went further, calling on the Law Society of Kenya to take disciplinary action against Muturi.
“The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) should IMMEDIATELY remove him from the roll of advocates,” he said.
The senator expressed disappointment given Muturi’s distinguished career in public service.
“It’s embarrassing that this is a former Attorney General of Kenya, former Speaker of National Assembly, a former judicial officer and a former member of Parliament. What a shame and this confirms that he was truly incompetent,” Cherargei stated.
The controversy stems from an incident at the Siakago Social Hall, where Muturi, the leader of the Democratic Party of Kenya, clashed with Thuku Kiruga, the agent of UDA aspirant Leonard Wa Muthende. The confrontation began when Muturi objected to Kiruga wearing a yellow jacket, which he argued represented the UDA party colors.
Muturi and other DP supporters subsequently forced Kiruga out of the hall. During the altercation, Muturi also physically confronted a local resident who was accompanying Wa Muthende’s agent. Kiruga serves as a Member of the County Assembly for Chinga ward in Nyeri County.
Speaking after the incident, Muturi defended his actions, insisting that party agents were prohibited from wearing party colors at polling stations.
“What we have told him is you can’t come to the polling area when you are donning party colors. If he is an authorized agent or observer, he must come wearing other kinds of clothes, not party colors,” Muturi explained.
The DP party leader said he took action after the presiding officer at the station failed to intervene.
“Other stations which I have visited are okay, we have not seen this kind of thing,” he added.
Wa Muthende is competing against Newton Karish, who is running on a DP ticket, in the ongoing Mbeere North by-election.
