NAIROBI, Kenya — President William Ruto on Friday dismissed the opposition’s appeal in Mbeere North following Leonard Wamuthende’s victory in the parliamentary by-election, claiming that rival parties lacked a concrete agenda for Kenyans.
Speaking shortly after congratulating the winners of Thursday’s by-elections, Ruto said the results were a reflection of the electorate’s desire for development-focused leadership rather than partisan politicking.
“Your victory is a powerful reminder to us that we are bigger and better as a country when we are united,” he stated.
Wamuthende, running on the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket, secured 15,802 votes, narrowly defeating Newton Kariuki Ndwiga of the Democratic Party, who garnered 15,308 votes.
Ruto used the outcome to underscore his message that opposition parties were failing to offer concrete solutions to Kenya’s challenges.
“They don’t have any agenda; they are only focused on political noise and chaos,” he said.
The President praised all newly elected leaders across the six constituencies, including Malava, Banissa, Magarini, Kasipul, and Ugunja, and the Senate seat in Baringo, noting that their victories were a demonstration of national unity and public trust in responsible leadership.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki added that the winners now carry a mandate to lead and foster development in their communities.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen commended citizens for maintaining peace during the by-elections, while vowing that isolated incidents of political violence would be addressed decisively.
Wamuthende, on assuming office, promised to serve the entire Mbeere North constituency without discrimination and prioritised completing ongoing development projects before initiating new ones.
He pledged to uphold campaign promises on education, bursaries, and infrastructure.
The by-elections, occasioned by the death of former MPs, were largely peaceful, with minor delays in a few polling stations.
Counting continued overnight before the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) confirmed the results.
