Political Realignments Intensify in Embu

EMBU, KENYA – Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi on Monday, November 17, 2025, publicly endorsed Newton Karish as the Democratic Party (DP) candidate for the upcoming Mbeere North parliamentary by-election. The move, announced to supporters, escalates the political stakes in a constituency that has become a focal point of regional power dynamics following the appointment of its former MP, Geoffrey Ruku, to the cabinet.

The by-election, slated for November 27, is more than a local contest; it is widely seen as a referendum on political loyalties and a barometer of President William Ruto's influence in the Mt. Kenya region. Muturi, a seasoned political figure who previously served as National Assembly Speaker and Attorney General, is leveraging his deep roots in the region to shape the outcome. His backing of Karish, the current Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Muminji Ward, positions the DP as a formidable force against the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

The Candidates and the Constituency

Newton Karish, a former musician turned politician, is campaigning on a platform of addressing local grievances, including the state of healthcare and infrastructure. During a recent rally on Sunday, November 16, 2025, Karish criticized the Embu county government for what he termed as misplaced priorities, urging a focus on service delivery over political maneuvering. His campaign has been framed as a grassroots movement against the central government's preferred candidate.

The Mbeere North seat was left vacant after Geoffrey Ruku was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes in April 2025, ironically succeeding Muturi in the docket. Ruku, who won the seat in 2022 on a DP ticket, is now spearheading the campaign for the UDA candidate, Leonard Wamuthende, creating a complex political showdown.

Mbeere North, formerly known as Siakago Constituency, has a history of unpredictable voting patterns, often defying broader regional political waves. In the 2002 general election, for instance, voters re-elected Justin Muturi on a KANU ticket, even as the NARC coalition swept the Mt. Kenya region. With just over 55,000 registered voters as of the 2022 election, the constituency's independent streak makes the outcome highly anticipated.

National Implications of a Local Race

The by-election has attracted national attention, with senior leaders from both the government and the opposition making frequent campaign stops. Opposition figures have coalesced around Karish, viewing the contest as an opportunity to challenge the Kenya Kwanza administration's dominance in its own backyard. Leaders such as Wiper's Kalonzo Musyoka and DAP-K's Eugene Wamalwa have thrown their weight behind Karish, framing the Mbeere North race as the birthplace of a revitalized opposition.

The political climate has grown tense, with allegations of intimidation and planned violence. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua recently raised concerns over rising insecurity, calling on the Inspector General of Police to ensure peace during the campaign period. In response, CS Ruku dismissed the claims as political dramatization, urging a focus on the constituency's pressing development needs, such as water scarcity, poor road networks, and educational challenges. These socio-economic issues, including reliance on subsistence farming and the impacts of climate change, remain central to the lives of residents.

As the November 27 polling day approaches, the Mbeere North by-election is shaping up to be a defining moment. It will not only determine the next parliamentary representative but also signal the direction of political currents within Embu County and the broader, vote-rich Mt. Kenya region ahead of the next election cycle.