Chaotic scenes were witnessed on Thursday afternoon at Kaungu Polling Station in Mbeere North Constituency after tension spiraled out of control, forcing an Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) official to hide under a table for safety.
The dramatic incident occurred during the ongoing Mbeere North by-election and was captured in a video widely circulated online.
According to eyewitness accounts and footage shared on social media, tensions flared barely minutes after Embu County Governor Cecily Mbarire was escorted out of the polling station amid chants from angry residents.
The charged crowd allegedly accused several leaders of interfering with the voting process, heightening emotions in an already competitive by-election.
Moments after the governor’s exit, a section of furious residents reportedly began throwing objects inside the polling centre. Startled IEBC officials and party agents were seen running for safety, with one officer forced to crawl under a table as the situation deteriorated rapidly.
Police officers deployed at the centre immediately intervened, dispersing the rowdy group and restoring calm. The officers formed a human shield at the station’s entrance as voting resumed under tight security. No serious injuries were reported during the incident.
Local administrators and security teams have since appealed to residents to maintain peace and allow the electoral process to continue smoothly.
They emphasized that disruptions not only threaten the credibility of the exercise but also risk disenfranchising voters.
The Mbeere North by-election has attracted significant attention, with the contest largely viewed as a fierce battle between Wamudhende and Hon. Karish.
As counting of votes progresses later in the day, all eyes will be on whether the heightened tensions will influence voter turnout or the final outcome.
Authorities have assured the public that security has been enhanced across all polling stations to ensure a peaceful conclusion to the electoral process.
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