Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Mbeere North UDA candidate Leo Wamuthende during the Riandu People's Forum in Nthawa Ward, Mbeere North Constituency, Embu County, on November 19, 2025.
The November 27 Mbeere North by-election has turned into a fierce political battleground, with national heavyweights flooding the semi-arid constituency—leaving residents feeling like spectators in a high-stakes contest that has little to do with their day-to-day struggles.
In what many locals say mirrors the proverb “when two bulls fight, it is the grass that suffers,” top political figures have descended on the area, each determined to assert political dominance ahead of the crucial vote.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire are facing off against a rival camp led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukundi and former Attorney-General Justin Muturi, among others.
DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua campaigns for Mbeere North parliamentary candidate Newton Kariuki at Kanyuambora Trading Centre on November 16, 2025.
Both factions are fighting to prove their influence by pushing little-known candidates—who have largely been overshadowed—as the real contest becomes a litmus test for DP Kindiki and his predecessor, Mr Gachagua.
The two have vowed to camp in Mbeere North until their preferred candidates clinch victory.
Prof Kindiki is backing UDA candidate Leonard Muthende, while Mr Gachagua, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader, is supporting Newton Kariuki, popularly known as Karish.
During their rallies, the two leaders have openly challenged each other.
On Monday, Prof Kindiki told residents at Ishiara market that he—not Mr Gachagua—is the legitimate Mt Kenya kingpin, accusing his predecessor of “self-appointing” himself.
“Who elected him as spokesman of the region? I am the king of the mountain with close to 20 years of experience as an elected leader. I represented former President Uhuru Kenyatta and President William Ruto at the ICC,” he said.
He added: “This man has been bragging that he’s the king, yet we are the ones fighting for development. He held a big office but did nothing to improve lives in this region. I will be here until the by-election is concluded, and I will take our candidate to be sworn in as the new MP.”
Mr Gachagua, meanwhile, has been conducting door-to-door campaigns urging residents to reject what he calls “the government project.”
“We know the government is doing everything possible to push their candidate. There is a lot of money being thrown around. Take the money, but vote wisely,” he said at Kamumu shopping centre on Wednesday.
Yet as the political egos collide, residents say the real issues affecting Mbeere North—poor roads, lack of clean water, frequent blackouts and minimal electrification—are being sidelined.
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku drums up support for Mbeere North by-election parliamentary candidate Leonard Muthende (UDA) during a campaign rally at Kirie Trading Centre in Embu County on November 19, 2025.
The seat fell vacant after former MP Ruku was appointed Cabinet Secretary by President William Ruto. Nine candidates are in the race, though most are unfamiliar to voters and overshadowed by the political heavyweights backing them.
Read: Battle of deputies: Inside last ditch by-election campaigns as Kindiki, Gachagua camp in Mbeere
Alongside Kariuki (DCP), Muthende (UDA) and Duncan Mbui (CCK), the other contenders are Lawrence Mwaniki (Safina), Albert Murimi (NVP), Daniel Ngari (Kenya Moja), Reuben Muriithi (ARC), Waiharo Mwaura (UMP) and Isaac Muringi (UPA).
Residents lament decades of marginalisation, pointing out that despite hosting the Seven Forks dams—which power much of the country—many still lack clean water, electricity and usable roads.
“We are taxpayers. We also deserve development,” said one resident.
Some candidates struggling to gain visibility are trying to shift the conversation back to local needs. Safina’s Mr Ireri said poverty was hindering children’s access to education, promising fair bursary distribution and improved power and road networks.
Mr Kariuki, backed by opposition leaders including Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa, and Mithika Linturi, insists the seat is his to lose.
“My rivals should forget this seat. I will beat them hands down,” he said.
Still, not all residents feel like “the grass” in the bulls’ fight. Some say they are benefiting from the influx of political cash.
“This is when we enjoy,” said Mr Kennedy Njeru at Ishiara market. “Money is flying around, and we will take it. But we won’t be bribed to vote for someone we don’t believe in.”
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