The Mbeere North by-election has thrust self-declared Mt Kenya kingpin Rigathi Gachagua onto the defensive, as his preferred candidate struggles to keep pace with UDA’s Leonard Muriuki Muthende. What was initially expected to be a straightforward victory for the DCP-backed candidate has turned into a tense, high-stakes contest, leaving Gachagua scrambling to regain control of the narrative.
Political insiders say the ruling party candidate’s campaign is running a well-coordinated multi-team strategy, with Deputy Prime CS Kithure Kindiki, Governor Cecily Mbarire, Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku, and a host of MPs and senators mobilizing grassroots support.
This approach has allowed the Muriuki’s team to cover more ground, engage more voters, and build significant momentum, sharply contrasting with Gachagua’s door-to-door efforts, which largely rely on his personal presence.
Recent polls indicate that UDA is leading with over 45%, while Newton Karish, Gachagua’s preferred candidate, lags at 36%. The tightening numbers appear to have triggered a defensive posture from the former Deputy President, who has been publicly accusing government officials of voter manipulation, state-sponsored violence, and cash handouts to influence the outcome.
Speaking at a church rally in Kanyuambora, Gachagua claimed that his supporters had been targeted and that goons were being ferried to disrupt events, warning residents to resist attempts to “buy their vote.”
Observers note that these allegations highlight both desperation and a political strategy aimed at rallying his base amid a serious challenge. Gachagua’s dramatic rhetoric, coupled with his high-profile campaigning, underscores the fear within his camp that a seat long seen as a political guarantee may slip away.
With less than two weeks to the November 27 poll, the Mbeere North race has emerged as a barometer of political influence in Mt Kenya, demonstrating that even a self-declared regional kingpin can face tough competition when opponents deploy superior organization and grassroots outreach. Analysts say the outcome could reshape local political dynamics and influence the broader Mt Kenya power play.
