UDA to settle on a single candidate for Mbeere North by-election
By Joel Masibo, August 15, 2025The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has announced plans to front a single candidate for the upcoming Mbeere North Constituency by-election.
In a statement on Friday, August 15, 2025, the ruling party said the flagbearer will be identified through either consensus or party primaries.
In a meeting chaired by Deputy President and UDA Deputy Party Leader, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, the party brought together all aspirants seeking the ticket for the parliamentary seat. The session was also attended by the immediate former MP Geoffrey Ruku, Embu Governor and UDA National Chairperson Cecily Mbarire, and other local leaders.
According to the party, the leaders agreed on a structured process to identify the most suitable candidate, followed by a coordinated campaign programme to rally behind the nominee once selected.
The by-election will determine the successor to the Mbeere North parliamentary seat after the area MP, Geoffrey Ruku, was appointed into the cabinet, with UDA expressing confidence that unity among aspirants and leaders will enhance the party’s chances of retaining the seat.
Choosing candidate
”The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party will, by consensus or party primaries, settle on a single candidate to fly our flag in the upcoming by-election to elect the next Member of Parliament for Mbeere North Constituency,” UDA said in a statement.
Elsewhere, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has issued a statement addressing public concerns and varying interpretations regarding the 90-day constitutional limit for conducting by-elections, as outlined under Article 101(4)(b) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.
On Thursday, August 14, 2025, IEBC explained that the same Article stipulates that a by-election for a vacant parliamentary seat, either in the National Assembly or the Senate, must be held within 90 days (3 months) after the seat is declared vacant. However, the IEBC pointed out that in the case of several upcoming by-elections, the vacancies arose long before the current Commission was constituted.
IEBC confirmed that different areas lost representatives at varied levels.
”Baringo County lost its Senate representative on February 16, 2025, Banissa Constituency on March 28, 2023, Magarini Constituency on March 3, 2023, Ugunja Constituency on August 8, 2024, Malava Constituency on February 17, 2025, Mbeere North Constituency on April 17, 2025, and Kasipul Constituency on April 30, 2025,” the Commission said in a statement.