Fresh from a bruising by-election that turned a constituency contest into a national proxy war, Leonard 'Wamuthende' Njeru has come out swinging against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. In his first public address since being sworn in, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) legislator dismissed opposition claims of electoral malpractice, asserting his razor-thin victory was the legitimate will of the people.

The Mbeere North by-election was never just about a parliamentary seat; it was a high-stakes litmus test for the soul of the Mountain. With a margin of fewer than 500 votes separating the victor from Gachagua-backed Newton 'Karish' Kariuki, the result has emboldened the camp of current Deputy President Kithure Kindiki while dealing a blow to Gachagua’s efforts to consolidate the region under his new political outfit.

The 'Angry Man' Narrative

Speaking to residents on Sunday, Wamuthende did not mince his words regarding the opposition's aggressive campaign. He characterized Gachagua’s involvement not as democratic participation, but as the desperate interference of a leader losing his grip.

"There was an angry man who came here and tried to convince voters to reject me," Wamuthende told a cheering crowd, directly referencing the former DP. "But luckily, by the time he came, the residents had made up their minds."

The MP attributed his win to a "military precision" strategy and the backing of the state machinery, specifically thanking Deputy President Kindiki and Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku. The narrative he is crafting is clear: the region has moved on, and the 'angry man' of the past is out of step with the electorate's current needs.

The Sh600 Million Question

Central to the dispute is the opposition's allegation that the state deployed vast resources to tilt the scales. Gachagua’s camp has alleged that up to Sh600 million (approx. KES 600 million) was splashed to woo voters—a staggering figure that, if true, would represent a significant distortion of the democratic process in a single constituency.

Wamuthende vehemently denied these claims. "No such amount of money was spent," he retorted. "The opposition had no agenda and mostly dwelt on insults, propaganda, and violence. That is why they lost."

Instead, he pivoted to the bread-and-butter issues that resonate with the Kenyan mwananchi. He cited his lobbying for 68 kilometers of tarmac road and water projects as the real currency that bought him votes. "Because I am in government, I am confident the doors will open and my people will benefit," he added, reinforcing the age-old Kenyan political logic that proximity to power brings development.

A Proxy War for Mt Kenya

The political undertones of this victory cannot be overstated. Analysts view the Mbeere North outcome as a critical data point for the 2027 General Election. The contest crystallized the rivalry between:

• The Incumbent Power: Represented by DP Kindiki and the UDA machine, focusing on continuity and state resources.
• The Insurgent Opposition: Led by Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), banking on anti-establishment sentiment and regional grievances.

While Wamuthende’s victory was narrow—15,802 votes against Kariuki’s 15,308—it provides a psychological boost to the Kindiki faction. It suggests that despite the economic headwinds facing the government, the UDA brand still holds sway in critical pockets of the region.

However, the victory is not without its shadows. Wamuthende’s candidacy was dogged by legal challenges regarding his name change and past business dealings involving the 'Biomax' scandal at Kenyatta National Hospital. While the courts cleared him to run, these issues remain ammunition for his detractors, ensuring that his tenure will likely be under intense scrutiny.

For now, Wamuthende is savoring the win, issuing a challenge to his opponents that sounds more like a warning: "Let's meet in 2027 for another contest, which will not be easy for them."