In the high-stakes game of Mt. Kenya politics, Moses Kuria has forcefully rejected claims that he is a political pawn, following a by-election where his candidate polled more than enough votes to have altered the outcome. The former cabinet secretary's independent maneuvers are fueling a narrative that he is being used to deliberately split the region's formidable voting bloc.

The accusations reached a fever pitch after the hotly contested Mbeere North parliamentary by-election on November 27th. The seat, a bellwether for the region's political mood, saw the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate, Leonard Wamuthende, clinch victory with 15,802 votes. He narrowly defeated Newton Kariuki of the Democratic Party (DP), backed by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who garnered 15,308 votes. The margin was a mere 494 votes. Kuria's Chama Cha Kazi (CCK) party candidate, Duncan Ireri Mbui, secured 2,480 votes, making his candidacy a mathematical spoiler.

The Accusation and the Rebuttal

The charge against Kuria has been led by his political rival, Rigathi Gachagua. During a tour in the United States, Gachagua alleged Kuria's political activities were part of a "calculated political strategy to divide Mt Kenya votes." He warned his supporters to be vigilant, claiming Kuria's moves were aligned with the interests of the presidency.

Kuria, who resigned from a senior government advisory role in July 2025 citing "personal interests," met the allegations with his signature sharp-tongued sarcasm. In a social media post, he sarcastically pleaded "guilty as charged" to Gachagua's claims, adding, "I learnt from the best." The pointed remark was widely interpreted as a jab at Gachagua's own past political tactics. Kuria also dismissed reports that his candidate would step down as "panic-driven propaganda" from his opponents.

A Proxy War with Real Consequences

The Mbeere North contest was far more than a local affair. It was widely seen as a proxy battle between Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who campaigned heavily for the UDA candidate, and Gachagua, who is repositioning himself as a key figure in the opposition. Political analyst Kelvin Ochol noted that President William Ruto's camp understands it may lose a significant portion of the Mt. Kenya vote in 2027, and a strategy to "deny his opponent a clear landslide win" is emerging. Ochol stated bluntly, "Kuria will probably be Ruto's sponsored presidential candidate to split the Mt Kenya vote."

This high-level political chess match is not without cost for the average Kenyan. The persistent political instability is creating a toxic environment for the economy. A 2025 World Security Report identified political volatility and civil unrest as the biggest threats to Kenyan businesses, overtaking economic fears. The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) estimated that political protests in June 2025 led to daily economic losses of KSh 3 billion (approx. $23 million). This instability directly impacts livelihoods by discouraging foreign investment and making it harder for families to put food on the table.

What Lies Ahead for the Mountain

Kuria's revival of his CCK party is a clear signal of his intention to remain a key player, independent of the major political formations. While he campaigns on a platform of election integrity, even warning President Ruto that the "international community is watching," his actions in Mbeere North have convinced many that his primary role is that of a disruptor. His controversial remarks during the campaign, where he bragged about his ability to manipulate polls, have only deepened this suspicion.

As the 2027 election cycle inches closer, the battle for Mt. Kenya's nearly eight million votes will only intensify. Whether Moses Kuria is carving out a genuine third way or acting as a spoiler in a larger scheme remains the central question. For now, his actions ensure that the path to commanding the region's loyalty will be anything but straightforward, leaving the political landscape fractured and unpredictable.