As the Mbeere North by-election campaign reached its final stage, political tensions escalated, with UDA leaders defending their candidate while attacking rivals. Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki took centre stage, countering the criticisms from former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his allies.

Speaking at the last campaign meeting on Monday, November 24, 2025, Mbarire praised the resilience of supporters despite constant attacks from opponents.

“I want to take this chance, since this is our last political meeting in Mbeere North before we choose our Leo. Number one, I want to thank God, because God has held us for a long time,” she said.

“Number two, I want to thank you Mbeere people. Why? You know the amount of insults that have been poured to us by Wamunyoro, if we were of weak hearts, we would have been done. But you hardened your hearts and said that you would remain in the government. You are great people, and I remove the cap for you.”

Mbarire also addressed the opposition directly, insisting that their attacks had backfired.

“I want to tell Wamunyoro, all those insults he has been pouring to us, all the gossiping he has been gossiping about us, all the problems he has been bringing. God has taken all of them, turned them to blessings, and given them to Leo,” she added.

Kindiki direct attack

Earlier on Sunday, November 23, 2025, Kindiki launched direct attacks on Gachagua’s record and political conduct, and also stated that he would continue to support Karish after he fails in the Mbeere North race.

“Tumesema Thursday tupitishe Leonard akatutafutie maji na barabara. Huyu ndugu yangu angojee. Kwa sababu sasa ameshatoka kwa kiti. It is too late. Mimi nilisema ata yeye ni mtu ya nyumbani. Baada ya Thursday, akianguka mniletee. Nitatafutia kazi ingine. Hii ya ubunge hawezani nayo,” he said.

Kindiki accused Gachagua of intimidation and failing in leadership when he served as deputy president.

“Yule mtu alikuwa deputy president zamani, akaaribu kazi, atueshimu. Na akuje pole pole, aombee Kariuki kura kwa heshima, aseme sera yake. Mambo ya kutusi tusi watu hapa hawache. Na mimi asicheze na mimi,” Kindiki warned.

He also issued a personal political challenge.

“Mimi msione, siongei sana lakini nimepigana vita mingi sana. Na mimi sijawai poteza vita. Mimi nitapita na yeye. Huyo mkora amezoea kutisha watu wengi. Akijaribu na hiyo mchezo wa kunitisha, mimi nitapita na yeye. Ile ufalme alikuwa anafikiri ako nayo, Thursday, wanaume ni kuonana kwa kiwanja,” he said.

Kindiki further questioned Gachagua’s reported call for him to step aside.

“Ati Rigathi Gachagua amesema niende nyumbani? Niende? Tam ni ngapi? Wacha Rigathi Gachagua asikie!” he added.

Kindiki had also earlier taken a strong stance against Gachagua’s campaign style. He dismissed the former deputy president’s door-to-door tea visits as culturally inappropriate.

“Sasa wale ndugu zangu wanazurura hapa na kunywa chai kwa kitchen ya kina mama. Waambiwe kwanza sisi hapa, wazee wa sehemu hii, hatuingiangi kitchen,” he said.

Gachagua defies police, blocks

Gachagua, meanwhile, has been campaigning aggressively for DCP candidate Douglas Masikonde in Narok Ward. On Monday, November 24, 2025, he made a dramatic entry into Narok town wearing a helmet, claiming police and government officials had tried to block his team.

“Clear instructions had been issued by this cowardly and brutal regime to block me and my entourage from accessing Narok Town to campaign for the DCP Democracy Candidate for Narok Ward Hon. Douglas Masikonde,” he wrote on social media.

He described his reception as a victory for the people over intimidation.

“The people, a people united are stronger than all roadblocks, than all bullets, than all stones, than all teargas you have in store and high seas and than any dictator in the world!” he said. Gachagua credited local villagers for guiding his team through alternative paths to reach the town safely.

“Being a villager, I engaged my fellow villagers in Narok who guided through village paths unknown to the police and made a triumphant entry in Narok town and received by thousands of jubilant DCP supporters. How can you beat me in my game?”

The former deputy president also raised concerns about interference in the Magarini by-election. He accused IEBC Vice Chair Fahima Araphat Abdallah of attempting to manipulate the race in favour of a preferred candidate.