Political Storm as Gachagua Claims Ruto’s Mbeere North Backed Candidate Is Not a Registered Voter in the Region
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has escalated his criticism of President William Ruto, accusing the Head of State and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire of attempting to “impose” a parliamentary candidate on voters in Mbeere North ahead of the November 27 by-election.
Speaking during a church service at the ACK Diocese of Mbeere on Sunday, November 16, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader urged residents to “reject political interference” and rally behind the DP candidate, Newton Karish, whom he described as the community’s “consensus choice”.
Gachagua claimed the candidate backed by the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) was being “forced” upon the electorate by senior government figures, insisting the individual was not even registered as a voter in the constituency.
“That boy is just being used. He has simply been brought here,” Gachagua told congregants. “He has no problem, but he doesn’t even have a vote in this constituency. Even his wife is not a registered voter here. How can you vote for somebody who cannot elect himself?”
The former deputy president warned that the looming poll would demonstrate “who has sense and who lacks sense”, in what appeared to be a direct challenge to President Ruto’s political strategy in the Mount Kenya region.
Claims of Intimidation and Disrespect
Gachagua also launched a fierce attack on Governor Mbarire, accusing her of “disrespecting” Mbeere residents and vowing to “teach them a lesson” for failing to support her during the previous election cycle.
“She is saying the people of Mbeere did not vote for her, and she will teach them a lesson. That you will elect her candidate whether you like it or not,” he alleged. “She claims her vote and Ruto’s vote are enough — that she does not need votes from the people of Mbeere.”
He further accused the Embu County leadership of deploying police to intimidate locals during his visit, adding that Mbarire had “not set foot in Mbeere for three years” despite holding high office.
Why the DCP Withdrew Its Candidate
Gachagua used the event to explain why the DCP had withdrawn its own candidate from the by-election, revealing that the decision followed consultations with community elders, Senator Lenny Muturi, and former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi.
The two senior figures, he said, informed him that the community had coalesced around Karish as their preferred representative.
“Those two elders called me,” Gachagua said. “In Mount Kenya we have a council of elders. As a faithful son to the elders, I obeyed and withdrew our candidate, and we now all support Karish.”
The by-election in Mbeere North is shaping up to be a test of strength between competing political camps within the wider Mount Kenya region, with analysts viewing it as a barometer of President Ruto’s influence in the area following months of reported tensions within his Kenya Kwanza coalition.
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Political Storm as Gachagua Claims Ruto’s Mbeere North Backed Candidate Is Not a Registered Voter in the Region