Leo Wamuthende of the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has been declared winner of the Mbeere North parliamentary by-election, defeating his closest challenger by just 494 votes in a contest widely seen as a referendum on the bitter rivalry between Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and his impeached predecessor, Rigathi Gachagua.
Provisional results released by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) early on Friday showed Wamuthende polling 15,802 votes against 15,308 for independent candidate Newton Kariuki, popularly known as Newton Karish, who was backed by Gachagua. Turnout was high at 62%.
Jubilant UDA supporters took to the streets of Siakago, Kanyuambora and Mutuobare towns, carrying the MP-elect on their shoulders amid chants of “Ruto! Kindiki! Wamuthende!” and vuvuzela blasts.
The by-election, triggered by the March 2025 appointment of former MP Geoffrey Ruku as cabinet secretary, rapidly escalated into a high-stakes proxy war within the Mt Kenya East political heartland. Kindiki, who hails from neighbouring Tharaka Nithi county, campaigned intensively for Wamuthende, framing the vote as essential for the continuation of President William Ruto’s development projects, including road upgrades and water reticulation from the Kiambere Dam.
Gachagua, impeached as deputy president in October 2024 and now leading a vocal opposition faction within the region, adopted a more grassroots strategy, urging voters to reject what he called “state-sponsored intimidation and bribery”.
Both camps traded serious allegations in the run-up to polling day. Gachagua claimed up to KSh600m in state funds had been deployed to buy votes and collect national identity cards, while UDA dismissed the accusations as attempts to explain an impending defeat.
Despite the charged atmosphere, voting on Thursday was largely peaceful, though police made several arrests over alleged voter bribery.
The narrow victory strengthens Kindiki’s grip on the Mt Kenya East bloc ahead of the 2027 general election, but the slim margin and lingering acrimony suggest Gachagua is commanding significant grassroots support.
