Political Tensions Escalate Ahead of By-Election

EMBU, KENYA – The political climate in Embu County has reached a fever pitch as the Mbeere North parliamentary by-election, scheduled for Thursday, November 27, 2025, draws near. Democratic Party (DP) aspirant Newton Karish has sharpened his criticism of Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, accusing her of neglecting the constituency and meddling in local politics at the expense of service delivery. Speaking at a rally on Sunday, November 16, 2025, Karish directly challenged the governor's focus, alleging that local hospitals are suffering from a lack of essential medicines while the county leadership is preoccupied with political campaigns.

“Are hospitals here with drugs? The governor has been camping here, going up and down. The only drug she has been carrying is just one, a drug called Muthende,” Karish stated, referring to the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate, Leonard Wamuthende. This rhetoric frames the by-election as a direct contest between local interests and what Karish’s camp portrays as an imposed leadership choice by the county and national government.

A High-Stakes Contest with National Implications

The Mbeere North seat became vacant in April 2025 after President William Ruto appointed the sitting Member of Parliament, Geoffrey Kariuki Ruku, as Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes. This move triggered a fiercely contested mini-poll that has attracted significant national attention, evolving into a proxy battle for political dominance in the vote-rich Mount Kenya region.

The by-election is widely viewed as a litmus test for President Ruto’s influence, pitting his UDA party, chaired by Governor Mbarire, against a re-energised opposition coalition backing Karish. High-profile national figures have descended on the constituency, with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki leading the UDA campaign for Wamuthende, while former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka have vigorously stumped for Karish.

Karish’s Platform: From Benga Star to Political Advocate

Newton Karish, a popular Benga musician and a three-term Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Muminji Ward, is leveraging his deep community ties and artistic background. His campaign centres on addressing long-standing local grievances, which residents identify as poor roads, water scarcity, and inadequate healthcare. Karish and his allies, including former Public Service CS Justin Muturi, accuse the county government of marginalising Mbeere North and prioritising political loyalty over equitable development.

The campaign has been fraught with tension, including accusations of intimidation and plans to incite violence. Governor Mbarire filed a police report on November 15, 2025, alleging that opposition figures were planning to cause chaos, a claim Karish’s camp has vehemently denied, instead accusing state machinery of attempting to suppress their rallies.

Mbarire’s Defence and Development Record

Governor Mbarire, a veteran politician who previously served 15 years as MP for Runyenjes, has urged voters to reject what she terms as divisive, opposition politics. Campaigning alongside Deputy President Kindiki, she has argued that electing a UDA MP will ensure the constituency remains aligned with the ruling party, facilitating continued development. “Only fools would deliberately walk into the opposition, and the people of Mbeere North are not fools,” she stated during a campaign rally on November 21, 2025.

Mbarire’s administration points to several key development initiatives across Embu County, including the launch of a County Aggregation and Industrial Park and upgrades to infrastructure that accompanied the Madaraka Day celebrations hosted in Embu in 2023. Her supporters maintain that her leadership as UDA chairperson provides the county with a strategic advantage in negotiating for national government resources. However, she also faces the challenge of managing an inherited debt of Sh2.2 billion in pending bills from the previous administration, which she has stated is a priority to clear.

As the by-election on Monday, November 24, 2025, approaches, the contest in Mbeere North has transcended local politics. It has become a crucial battleground reflecting the shifting alliances and power struggles within the Mt. Kenya region, forcing residents to weigh promises of grassroots advocacy against the strategic advantages of aligning with the current government.