High-stakes showdown: Inside Kindiki, Gachagua fierce face off in Mbeere North by-election

A collage of DP Kithure Kindiki and DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua during their campaign forays in Mbeere North, ahead of the November 27 by-elections. /HANDOUT

The Mbeere North parliamentary by-election is turning out to be a high-stakes contest, with the two main political formations leaving nothing to chance.

President William Ruto’s UDA party is fielding Leo Muthende, while the United Opposition is backing Democratic Party’s (DP) Newton Karish.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Godfrey Ruku, and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire are leading Muthende’s well-oiled campaigns in a quest to retain the seat left vacant by Ruku’s appointment to the Cabinet.

On the other side, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has taken it upon himself to conduct door-to-door campaigns that took him to Ruku’s family home on Monday.

Gachagua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and DP leader Justin Muturi are leading the opposition troops in what is now being billed as a popularity contest between them and the ruling party.

Although Gachagua’s DCP party does not have a candidate, he has taken charge of the campaigns in what analysts see as stamping authority in a region he has declared his stronghold and vowed to kick his former party, UDA, out.

A victory for the Gachagua-backed candidate will entrench the notion and help boost his claim over dominance of the populous Mount Kenya vote basket.

“Very soon I would be the firstborn of the United Opposition. The government is determined to stop us, but we are determined to move to the end and win this election,” DP’s Karish said, capturing the opposition dream in the hotly contested by-election.

On the other side, a victory for Muthende will help President Ruto to prove to critics that he still enjoys the support of a region that overwhelmingly voted for him in 2022.

DP Prof. Kithure’s task of delivering the seat will be seen as a statement over his political future as he fights to retain his running mate position, relying on his ability to mobilise in his home region.

“This is no longer a local election, it’s a barometer of who truly commands the mountain,” political analyst Dr Charles Ngunjiri said, adding that a loss for UDA would be interpreted as a rejection of Ruto’s influence in the Mt Kenya region, particularly in the eastern part, where Kindiki and UDA chairperson Governor Cecily Mbarire hail from.

For CS Ruku, analysts say he has to return the favour to his boss for the Cabinet slot by ensuring that the seat remains firmly in the President’s party.

“People of Mbeere North, let us come together on the 27th of this month and elect Leonard Wamuthende as Member of Parliament so that he can continue bringing development together with the Deputy President of Kenya, Kithure Kindiki,” Ruku told a rally in Siakago, even as the opposition criticises the use of state resources.

Governor Mbarire captured the pressure on their side to deliver: “I'm now beseeching you as Mbeere North voters to do me a favour: let me have this seat on a UDA ticket. I'm no longer sleeping because of this seat. The pressure is huge. Even if you don’t know the candidate, please vote for him for my sake.”

However, the opposition is not relenting.

“The people are resolutely committed to sending a clear message: power truly belongs to the people. Their large turnout is a genuine reflection of their yearning for new leadership to begin on November 27, 2025. Their determination and zeal are palpable,” Gachagua said in one of the campaign rallies.