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| A collage of CS Geoffrey Ruku and Former DP Rigathi Gachugua |
The contest in Mbeere North has grown into more than a routine by-election. What began as a local race has turned into a quiet showdown between President William Ruto and his former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua.
Their rivalry, which has been building for months, is now playing out in the open as both try to secure influence in a region that once stood firmly behind them.
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku ignited fresh tension after accusing Gachagua of buying identity cards from residents in areas believed to support the United Democratic Alliance candidate, Leonard Muriuki.
According to Ruku, this was a sign that Gachagua’s team had turned to desperate methods in a race that is only days away from the vote.
Though the allegation remains unproven, it added heat to an already sensitive political climate.
President Ruto has kept away from Mbeere North during this period. He has chosen to monitor events from State House while sending his trusted allies to campaign on his behalf.
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| Deputy President Kithure Kindiki Campaigning in Mbeere North, Embu |
Ruku, a former MP for the area, and Embu governor Cecily Mbarire have taken the lead in selling UDA candidate Leonard Wamuthende to the voters.
This distance has not gone unnoticed. Many observers believe Ruto is avoiding any move that might expose declining support in a region that once backed him strongly. By staying away, he avoids the risk of appearing weakened.
Gachagua has taken the opposite path. He has plunged deep into the campaign, presenting himself as the region’s defender. Though he supports Democratic Party candidate Newton Kariuki, widely known as Karish, the race offers him a chance to demonstrate his influence without tying the result directly to his party.
A win for Karish would give Gachagua a stronger claim as the new political leader of Mt Kenya, especially after former President Uhuru Kenyatta urged Jubilee members to treat him with respect.
That comment revived Gachagua’s standing and gave him fresh confidence to challenge Ruto’s grip.
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| Collage Image of DP Kithure Kindiki and Former DP Rigathi Gachagua |
Ruto’s choice to stay away also introduces another layer to the contest. His deputy, Kithure Kindiki, has been pushed forward to lead the campaign. This gives Ruto a way to test Kindiki’s strength in the region, but it also exposes Kindiki to political risk.
If UDA fails to secure the seat, Kindiki’s standing as a possible regional spokesperson may suffer, especially since Mbeere North sits close to his own home area.
The President’s caution is influenced by recent experiences. His reception in parts of Mt Kenya has cooled. In Embu, toward the end of 2024, he faced visible hostility.
Another unfriendly crowd during the by-election season would only feed the idea that his influence is fading. For that reason, he has opted to let his allies take the frontline role.
What appears on the surface as a simple by-election has become a measure of political strength for two leaders who once stood side by side.
The outcome may decide not only who wins the seat but also who carries the louder voice in Mt Kenya politics in the months ahead.
