Former Cabinet Secretary and Democratic Party-Kenya (DP-K) Party Leader Justin Muturi has criticized the IEBC's decision to deploy plain-clothed police officers during the November 27, 2025, by-elections.
Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday November 25, 2025 in Mbeere North, Muturi claimed that the police officers who will not be in uniform will be state-sponsored goons.
"Police officers in civilian clothes are goons who have been hired by the government, and they will be working under the protection of the police, just like they have done in demonstrations in Nairobi. We caution the IEBC not to fall into that trap," Muturi claimed.
According to Muturi, the IEBC boss, Ethokon Edong, should instruct the Inspector General of Police to ensure that all officers deployed during the elections are identifiable and in uniform.
"We are cautioning IEBC to tell the Inspector General of Police that if at all he wants to provide extra security, all personnel must be identifiable and in uniform. We will not allow a situation whereby people who are in civilian clothes purport to be police officers," Muturi said.
IEBC announced on November 25, 2025, that it will deploy both uniformed and un-uniformed police officers in the by-elections.
This was announced by IEBC Commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana while addressing the media in Tana River County, where he announced that all security organs will be working together to ensure maximum security during the elections.
This follows allegations of plotted violence by different political camps contesting in the by-elections. Both camps alleged that the opponents are hiring goons.
Violence was also witnessed during the by-election campaigns, where there were incidents of gunshots and other forms of violence that resulted in the death of Kenyans.
