MBEERE NORTH, Kenya – Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has launched an aggressive 10-day door-to-door campaign in Mbeere North, signalling the start of what is shaping up to be a major political showdown in Mt Kenya ahead of this month’s by-election.
Gachagua — now a key figure in the United Opposition — is rallying behind Newton Kariuki, popularly known as Karish, the Democratic Party (DP) candidate who is emerging as a frontrunner in the contest to replace the former MP.
On Monday, Gachagua began his second day on the trail with an early morning walk through local villages, chatting with residents and sharing breakfast at a roadside kibanda.
His retail-style mobilization underscores the stakes of the by-election, widely seen as a referendum on his influence in the Mt Kenya region following his impeachment and dramatic political split with President William Ruto.
Proxy Battle Between Gachagua and Ruto
Though branded as an ordinary party contest, the Mbeere North race has morphed into a proxy war between Gachagua and President Ruto, whose fractured relationship has redrawn political lines in Central Kenya.
President Ruto’s UDA has thrown its weight behind Leonard Wamuthende, deploying senior government officials to the constituency in a show of force aimed at safeguarding the party’s foothold in the region.
The heavy state involvement has stirred questions on the use of public resources during campaigns.
Analysts say the outcome of the race carries far-reaching implications: a win for Kariuki would boost Gachagua’s claim that the region has shifted its support away from Ruto, while a UDA victory could help the President reclaim lost ground.
Opposition Sets Up Base in Embu
United Opposition leaders have set up a campaign base in Embu led by Gachagua and DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa, who says the coalition will run an organized and disciplined campaign to deliver a win for Kariuki.
Gachagua has framed the by-election as a fight against what he terms Ruto’s “political manipulation” of the Mt Kenya vote.
Since his impeachment, he has accused the President of attempting to divide the region through patronage, money, and strategic appointments.
Ruto has dismissed the claims. During an April tour of the region, he alleged that Gachagua had demanded Sh10 billion to fund his political ambitions — an allegation Gachagua denies.
The fallout has deepened political rifts across Mt Kenya, with local leaders forced to pick sides.
Gachagua has openly warned those aligning with the President that they will “face consequences” at the ballot.
The by-election, scheduled for later this month, now stands as a critical litmus test — not just for Newton Kariuki and Leonard Wamuthende, but for the political futures of Rigathi Gachagua and President William Ruto in a region that has long shaped national outcomes.
