Gachagua draws battle lines for Mbeere North by-election showdown
By Luke Oluoch, November 16, 2025Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has predicted the upcoming Mbeere North by-election will be a showdown between President William Ruto and Governor Cecily Mbarire’s candidate and the residents
Speaking in a church service on Sunday, November 16, 2025, Gachagua accused the governor of imposing her own candidate on the people of Mbeere through Ruto’s influence.
Contest defined
‘The contest is between Kasongo and Mbarire on one side and the people of Mbeere on the other side. Who will win? The contest is simple,” he said.
“Their candidate (Muthende) is being fronted by them. He has no vote here in Mbeere, so I am wondering how they expect you to vote for him. How can people vote for someone who can’t even cast a vote for himself?” He posed.
The former DP urged the voters to replicate an act that the people of Kipiriri in Nyandarua County once pulled on President Moi in 1994.
Also watch: Muturi warns Ruto to rein in Kenya Kwanza chaos ahead of Mbeere North by-election.
Attacks on Mbarire
Gachagua recalled how, despite Moi’s efforts to woo the people with goodies and development projects, the voters eventually sided with a Democratic Party candidate and put the government to shame by rejecting the state candidate.
Gachagua also continued his attacks on Embu Governor Mabrire, accusing her of disrespecting the residents of Mbeere North.
“Mbarire should respect the people and desist from issuing intimidations. For three years, she has never set foot in Mbeere, only to bring them a candidate now. You dare say that. We don’t want to disrespect these people. They might be of low income, but nonetheless they deserve their dignity,” he stated.
His remarks come amid claims by the united opposition of a plot to disrupt their meeting scheduled in Kanyuombora.
In a statement on Sunday, November 16, 2025, Newton Karish disclosed that there was a plot to disrupt their campaign meeting by law enforcement officers.
Karish claimed that law enforcement officers had been deployed to a field in Kanyuombora where the opposition rally was scheduled to take place.
He further called out the area governor for her involvement in the campaigns against the opposition faction.
“As we stand here, police have occupied the field we intend to use for our rally,” he added.
Additionally, Karish also accused the government of dishing out money to youths and causing havoc.
“Ironically, yesterday, the governor went out to write a statement that we intend to disrupt our own rally. How can we be the ones stopping our own rally?’ He posed.