EMBUA, Kenya- Barely a month after the fiercely contested Mbeere North parliamentary by-election, the constituency is once again staring at another political battle, with Evurore and Muminji wards emerging as the new battlegrounds in a high-stakes contest between the government and the opposition.
The renewed political tension follows the clearance of candidates by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), a move that has officially set the stage for by-elections that are already attracting intense political interest.
The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) moved swiftly to assert its dominance after its candidates, Duncan Muratia Nyaga for Evurore Ward and Peterson Njeru Njiru for Muminji Ward were cleared to contest in the forthcoming polls.
The return of nomination papers by the UDA candidates was marked by a show of political strength, as senior Kenya Kwanza leaders accompanied them in a symbolic procession for IEBC clearance.
The event attracted top leaders, including Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, and Mbeere North MP Leo wa Muthende and Embu woman representative Pamela Njoki Njeru Double N, signaling the government’s determination to tighten its grip on the constituency.
Their presence underscored the strategic importance the ruling coalition has attached to the ward contests, viewing them as a continuation of the recently concluded parliamentary by-election.
On the opposition side, the Democratic Party (DP) cleared Albert Kigoro to contest the Evurore Ward seat, while the Devolution Empowerment Party (DEP) fielded Ngari Boniface Kariuki in Muminji Ward, setting up direct contests with the UDA candidates.
The unfolding scenario now presents a head-to-head political duel between the government and opposition forces, each keen to assert relevance and control at the grassroots level.
Addressing the press after the clearance exercise, CS Ruku launched a sharp attack on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) of political retreat.
Ruku expressed disappointment that DCP failed to field candidates in both wards, claiming the move was driven by fear of another defeat following Gachagua’s loss in the recent parliamentary by-election.
“I am disappointed that DCP has no candidate in these by-elections yet Gachagua claims he commands Mt Kenya support,” Ruku said.
He expressed confidence that UDA would emerge victorious, arguing that residents of Evurore and Muminji are eager to align with the government in order to benefit from development and access to national resources.
Governor Cecily Mbarire echoed the confidence, dismissing the opposition as no threat and vowing that UDA would replicate its parliamentary by-election success in the ward contests.
She said the ruling party would traverse the two wards in search of votes, adding that the strategy that delivered victory in the parliamentary by-election would once again work in their favor.
MP Leo wa Muthende, fresh from his parliamentary win, urged the opposition to shelve their ambitions, insisting that the political ground was already settled.
“We will win against Wamunyoro. He is not a threat at all,” Muthende said.
The by-elections also carry symbolic weight for opposition heavyweights Justin Muturi of the DP and Kivuti of the DEP, both hailing from Evurore Ward, the most populous ward in Mbeere North Constituency.
Having lost the parliamentary by-election to the government, the two leaders now face another test of their grassroots popularity as their parties split candidates between Evurore and Muminji wards.
As campaigns gather momentum, the ward by-elections are shaping up to be more than just local contests, increasingly becoming a political litmus test that will define dominance, loyalty, and future influence in post-by-election Mbeere North politics.
