Gachagua Reveals What Mbeere North Residents Told Him Ahead of November 27 By-Election
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said residents of Mbeere North have clearly outlined their priorities as the constituency heads into a tightly contested parliamentary by-election scheduled for November 27, 2025.
Gachagua spent Thursday, November 20, meeting voters across Nthawa and Evurore wards as he campaigned for Democratic Party (DP) candidate Newton Kariuki, popularly known as Karish. The seat fell vacant earlier this year, setting the stage for one of the most politically charged contests in the Mt Kenya East region.
Speaking during the tour, Gachagua said locals had communicated their expectations “loudly and unambiguously,” stressing that their focus remained firmly on economic empowerment.
“The people of Mbeere North are clear and resolute about their priorities. They know exactly what they want, and nothing will distract them from the future they are determined to shape,” he said in a statement posted on X. “We have a date with destiny.”
The former Deputy President began his day engaging muguka farmers at local farms and the Mla Chake Muguka Market, where he held discussions on pricing, market access and regulation of the lucrative crop. He described the conversations as “profound,” emphasising that agriculture remains the backbone of the constituency.
“We are in the village with the people, listening to them and their aspirations. We do so because it is the people at whose command we serve,” he noted.
Gachagua maintained that residents want a leader who understands the region’s economic realities and is ready to advocate for favourable policies, particularly around muguka and miraa—crops that support thousands of households.
“Listening to the farmers and traders here, without doubt, Mbeere North deserves a selfless people’s representative to champion marketing of muguka produce and ensure good prices,” he added.
He later toured Mlachake Market before visiting the home of Mzee Simon in Munandari Witwa Village, where he joined residents for tea and what he described as “an interesting morning conversation” about the constituency’s development priorities.
Rising Tensions as Campaign Narrows
With the by-election only days away, tensions between rival camps are intensifying. Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, who is backing United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Leonard Muriuki, accused Gachagua’s team of attempting to collect national identity cards in UDA strongholds in a bid to suppress voter turnout.
Ruku alleged the move was aimed at weakening support for the ruling party’s candidate. His claims have not been independently verified but have already deepened the political rift surrounding the race.
Gachagua has dismissed any such allegations and vowed to remain in the constituency “until Karish is declared the winner and sworn in as Member of Parliament,” signalling the high stakes of the contest for leaders seeking to assert influence in the wider Mt Kenya politics.
Political analysts say the outcome of the Mbeere North by-election may serve as an early indicator of shifting political loyalties ahead of the 2027 general election, with both opposition and UDA eager to claim the seat as a show of regional strength.
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Gachagua Reveals What Mbeere North Residents Told Him Ahead of November 27 By-Election