Leonard Muthende of the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is the new Member of Parliament for Mbeere North, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) announced early Friday morning. Muthende garnered 15,802 votes to win the seat in a nail-biting contest.

This by-election was seen as a critical test of the ruling party's influence in the Mt. Kenya region. Muthende’s victory, by a razor-thin margin of just 494 votes over his main rival, Newton Kariuki of the Democratic Party (DP) who secured 15,308 votes, underscores the intense political contest in the area.

A Race Down to the Wire

The poll was necessitated by the appointment of the former MP, Geoffrey Ruku, as a Cabinet Secretary in March 2025. The contest quickly evolved into a high-stakes battle between the government, fronted by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, and an opposition coalition backing Kariuki, a popular Benga musician and three-term local MCA.

Throughout the campaign and on polling day, the constituency was gripped by tension. Leaders from both camps traded accusations of voter bribery and intimidation. Chama Cha Kazi (CCK) candidate Duncan Mbui alleged that both UDA and DP were involved in distributing cash and food to influence voters. “There is a lot of voter bribery happening today. I do not see this election being free and fair,” Mbui stated on Thursday.

Security, Allegations, and Political Stakes

The charged atmosphere prompted a significant security presence to avert disruptions. The by-election was also marked by confrontations, including an incident where DP leader Justin Muturi ejected a UDA-aligned agent from a polling station for wearing party colours. The political stakes were exceptionally high, with some analysts framing the contest as a measure of regional political kingpins.

In his acceptance speech, a jubilant Muthende thanked God and the people of Mbeere North for the victory. His win provides a crucial boost for the UDA party, reaffirming its foothold in a key political backyard. For Newton Kariuki, the narrow loss is a testament to his strong local support, converting cultural capital into a formidable political challenge. All eyes are now on Muthende to unite a constituency that has shown itself to be deeply divided at the ballot box.