UDA candidate Leonard Wamuthende with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki during the campaigns on November 21, 2025/DPCS The ruling United Democratic Alliance has intensified campaigns in the Mbeere North parliamentary by-election in support of its candidate, Leonard Muriuki Muthende.
On Friday evening, a high-powered delegation led by Deputy Party Leader and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki swept through Ngunyumu and Kune, urging residents to back Muthende as the most suitable candidate to advance the development agenda started by former MP Geoffrey Ruku, who was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Public Service.
“We are not asking you to vote for Leonard Wamuthende without reason,” Kindiki said.
“We are asking you to support him because we know he will continue tarmacking roads, connecting households to electricity, expanding water projects and managing bursaries as effectively as Ruku did, if not better.”
UDA candidate Leonard Wamuthende with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki during the campaigns on November 21, 2025/DPCS
Kindiki criticised Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua for what he termed as divisive politicking during the campaign period.
He accused Gachagua of disparaging Embu leaders and sowing discord among locals instead of focusing on his party’s candidate.
“I warn him not to bring divisive politics here,” he said.
“Even after the by-election, our people must coexist peacefully. Mbeere North voters are interested in a candidate’s agenda, not divisions.”
UDA chairperson and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire urged residents not to elect an opposition MP, saying it would be counterproductive.
“Only fools would deliberately walk into the opposition, and the people of Mbeere North are not fools,” she said.
UDA chairperson Cecily Mbarire, UDA candidate Leonard Wamuthende with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki during the campaigns on November 21, 2025/DPCS
Muthende, addressing rallies across the constituency, pledged that if elected in the November 27 by-election, he would ensure equitable bursary distribution and mobilise partners to establish an education fund to supplement existing bursaries.
He also accused Gachagua of dragging his family into political attacks.
“Gachagua came here and claimed I have no wife or children. For the record, I have a family. But why would another man be interested in my family? He also said I don’t have a home, is he the one who houses me?” Muthende asked.
“That kind of politics of hate has no place in Mbeere North.”
CS Geoffrey Ruku also condemned Gachagua’s attacks on Muthende’s family, saying some of the remarks and stunts being witnessed in the campaign are considered taboos among the Mbeere community.
Other leaders in the UDA caravan included Embu Senator Alexander Mundigi, Tharaka Nithi Woman Representative Susan Mwindu, MPs Eric Muchangi Karemba (Runyenjes), Nebart Muriuki (Mbeere South) and Patrick Munene (Chuka-Igamba Ng’ombe), among others, all of whom rallied support for Muthende.
Muthende faces Newton Kariuki of the DP Party and Duncan Mbui of the CCK Party in the by-election scheduled for next Thursday.
The poll will be held alongside the Baringo Senate by-election and parliamentary by-elections in Banissa, Kasipul, Magarini, Malava and Ugunja, as well as ward by-elections in 17 wards across the country.
