The Mbeere North parliamentary by-election has become a defining political contest for President William Ruto and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua as they jostle for dominance in the Mt Kenya region.
President Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is backing Leonard Muthende, while the Democratic Party (DP), supported by the United Opposition, has fronted Newton Karish. Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, who previously held the seat, has been dispatched to lead UDA’s campaigns against his predecessor and former party leader Justin Muturi.
The stakes are high: a UDA victory would reinforce Ruto’s grip on Mt Kenya, while a loss could signal waning influence and strengthen Gachagua and Muturi’s emerging political front.
Each ward in Mbeere North has its own candidate Duncan Mbui (CCK) in Evurore, Muthende (UDA) in Nthawa, and Karish (DP) in Muminji. Interestingly, Muturi and former Senator Lenny Kivuti, both from Evurore, have chosen to support Karish from Muminji, which has the fewest voters.
Muturi has framed Karish’s campaign as a “movement for integrity and truth,” while Ruku has defended his pro-UDA activities, including launching local projects and distributing relief food, amid accusations of using state resources for campaigns.
Political analysts argue that the by-election is more than a local affair. “It’s a barometer of who truly commands Mt Kenya,” notes Dr. Charles Ngunjiri. A UDA loss, he says, would be seen as a direct challenge to Ruto’s authority in the region, even as leaders like Interior CS Kithure Kindiki and Governor Cecily Mbarire rally behind Muthende.
As campaigns intensify, Mbeere North has become the testing ground for political supremacy ahead of 2027 — a battle that could redefine Mt Kenya’s future power dynamics.
