Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has urged voters in Mbeere North not to support Duncan Mbui, the Chama Cha Kazi (CCK) candidate backed by Moses Kuria.

Speaking during an interview with a local TV station on Sunday, September 21, 2025, Gachagua accused President William Ruto of planting “wheelbarrows” in Mount Kenya to divide the vote. He claimed that Mbui’s candidacy was part of a wider plan by Ruto and his allies to weaken the region’s unity.

“Ruto has got several wheelbarrows in the mountain so as to divide the votes,” Gachagua said. “I said that Kiunjuri is a wheelbarrow, I also said Kabogo is a wheelbarrow. He has a lot of wheelbarrows he is moving around. He has two in Murang’a, one in Kiambu, one in Kirinyaga, and even this one for Kuria.”

Warns against Mbui defection

Gachagua singled out Duncan Mbui, the former Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) candidate, saying his switch to Kuria’s CCK was proof of Ruto’s influence.

“This guy who was in DCP called Mbui—Ruto sent Kuria. You know Kuria left his job as Ruto’s advisor, and I have always told people it is Ruto who sends him to divide our house. And you see this has now started in Mbeere,” he stated.

Mbui was initially the DCP candidate for the upcoming Mbeere North by-election but quit the party earlier this month, accusing it of betrayal. He later received the CCK certificate from Kuria in Ishiara, in a rally attended by thousands of supporters. His defection has shaken the opposition camp and added more tension to a contest already attracting top political names.

Also watch: Ndegwa Njiru explains how opposition will beat Ruto with Mbeere North test.

Gachagua told Mbeere North voters to be cautious, insisting that backing Mbui would indirectly strengthen Ruto.

“Since Kuria is affiliated with Ruto, he was sent with his party, and they gave it to Mbui. I want to tell the people of Mbeere North that the man who was ours, called Mbui, is now affiliated with Ruto. So if you give him votes, you are dividing our votes so that Ruto can win,” he warned.

The Mbeere North race has become one of the most competitive by-elections of the year. Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has settled on Leonard Muthende, who was unveiled earlier this month in an event led by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki. Justin Muturi’s Democratic Party (DP) is fielding Newton Kariuki.