United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party candidate Leonard Muthende has won the Mbeere North constituency seat with 15,802 votes, defeating his closest challenger, Newton Kariuki (Karish) of DP, who garnered 15,308 votes.
Mr Duncan Mbui of Chama cha Kazi was a distant third with 2,480 in an election Mr Muthende won with a thin margin of 494 votes, as announced by returning officer Mr John Kinyua.
The total number of votes cast in the constituency with 55,124 registered voters was 33,947, representing 61.9 voter turnout, one of the highest in Kenya’s by-election history.
Leo Wa Muthende defeats Newton Karish in Mbeere North
The UDA victory deals the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader, Rigathi Gachagua who has been claiming he is the Mt Kenya region kingpin, a big blow while Prof Kithure Kindiki has effectively claimed the crown.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki congratulates Leo Muthende of UDA after he was declared the winner in the Mbeere North by-election.
Photo credit: Joseph Kanyi| Nation Media Group
In his acceptance speech, Mr Muthende said he thanked God for the victory in the highly contested election.
“I am overjoyed that I am now the new Mbeere North MP. Although there was stiff competition with high emotions, I come in as MP for all the people of Mbeere North and I will serve you all without discrimination,” he said.
“I will also ensure fair distribution of bursaries and other resources entrusted to me as the area representative,” he added.
Present during the announcement were Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku, and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire.
Opposition leaders, including DP leader Justin Muturi and Devolution Empowerment Party (DEP) Lenny Kivuti, who joined forces to campaign for Mr Kariuki, were absent.
