Residents of Mathioya Constituency staged night protests outside the NGCDF offices in Kiriaini, alleging their MP was bussing outsiders in to register as voters ahead of 2027.
Residents of Mathioya Constituency in Murang'a County staged night demonstrations on Friday, August 14, over allegations that their Member of Parliament, Edwin Mugo Gichuki, was transporting people from outside the area to register as voters ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The demonstrations began in Kiriaini and continued late into the night as residents gathered outside the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NGCDF) offices in Mathioya. Footage from the scene showed residents chanting outside the offices, with bonfires lit along nearby roads and vehicles hooting as the protest went on.
Reports indicate the demonstration temporarily disrupted transport in the area as residents aired their grievances over the alleged voter registration exercise, alongside other complaints.
Kiriaini boda boda chairman, identified as Madocho, accused the MP of facilitating the movement of outsiders into the constituency in what he alleged was an effort to influence his re-election bid.
"He brought them by bus to be registered as voters in this area so that they can vote for him. We want to tell him that we are aware of his scheme. He has not delivered, and we will vote him out," he alleged.
According to circulating reports, three buses reportedly transported a group said to include about 500 people from Githurai to the constituency for the purpose of registering to vote in Mathioya. Protesters further alleged that the MP was using constituency development funds to support individuals who do not reside in Mathioya.
A resident identified as Wainaina also raised complaints over bursary funds, alleging that money released for students at a school in Gitugi had not been remitted even after the school term ended. Wainaina also criticised the delayed construction of a road linking Kiriko to Kora, saying residents had expected progress before the onset of the rains. "We are upset because there is a bursary that was released to students, but it was not remitted to a school in Gitugi even after the term ended. More to that, there is a road from Kiriko up to Kora, which they delayed until the rains came," he said.
His complaint comes months after President William Ruto launched the Kiriko-Karugia Road in Mathioya in April.
Residents said they had sought answers from officials at the NGCDF offices but remained dissatisfied with the response given. By the time of publication, the MP had not responded to the claims raised by protesters.