EMBU, Kenya — Moses Kuria has dismissed claims that his Chama Cha Kazi (CCK) party engineered a vote-splitting strategy that contributed to the opposition’s defeat in the Mbeere North by-election, calling the accusations “amusing, unfounded, and politically lazy.”
In a lengthy statement on Saturday, Kuria defended both his involvement and that of CCK candidate Duncan Mbui, insisting neither had any pact or secret arrangement with rival coalitions.
His remarks come amid rising accusations from Azimio leaders, who allege that CCK’s presence in the race distorted the opposition vote and indirectly boosted the winning candidate.
“I am amused by those saying the CCK party and myself were on a mission to divide votes in Mbeere North,” Kuria said. “Did we have a deal with anyone that we failed to honour? Were we even approached by anyone for a deal and we declined?”
Kuria stated that Mbui was picked by CCK only after being dropped by the Democratic Choice Party (DCP). He questioned why Azimio parties did not consolidate their ticket despite knowing the race required unity to stand a chance against UDA’s Isaac Wamuthende.
“UDA united all aspirants that lost to Wamuthende in the nominations. Why didn’t the opposition do the same?” he posed, adding that the opposition’s inability to rally behind a single candidate was the real reason behind their loss — not CCK’s participation.
The by-election featured eight candidates, and Kuria challenged critics to explain the origin of the other five contenders outside the main competitors.
“There were five other candidates other than Karish, Wamuthende, and Mbui. Who had sent these other five?” he asked, suggesting that the ballot was too diverse for any single minor party to be blamed.
Kuria also defended his campaign presence in Mbeere North, which has drawn scrutiny from some opposition leaders. He insisted he was the only major national figure who campaigned for Mbui, unlike the Azimio candidate, who enjoyed high-profile backing from several leaders including Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua, Eugene Wamalwa, George Natembeya, and former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i.
“How do I garner 2,480 votes when I am alone enough to spoil your votes?” he asked, arguing that the figures themselves proved CCK did not meaningfully undermine the opposition’s performance.
Political analysts say Kuria’s defence reflects the ongoing post-election blame-shifting that often follows competitive by-elections. According to governance expert Prof. Edward Kisiang’ani, vote-splitting is a recurring feature in multiparty contests, but attributing losses to minor candidates can obscure deeper organisational weaknesses.
“If a coalition fields multiple candidates and fails to consolidate its base, blaming fringe parties becomes convenient but inaccurate,” he noted. “What happened in Mbeere North is a reminder that political coordination remains weak within the opposition.”
The IEBC has maintained that the poll was conducted in accordance with electoral laws. Meanwhile, pressure continues to mount within Azimio for introspection, with some leaders calling for clearer nomination frameworks ahead of 2027.
As the debate continues, CCK’s performance — unexpected by many — has injected new political energy into the embattled party, positioning Kuria once again at the centre of post-election controversy.
