Uhuru and Gachagua Join Forces Ahead of Mbeere North By-Election
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s Democratic Change Party (DCP) have agreed to work together in the upcoming Mbeere North parliamentary by-election set for November 27.
The two leaders, who have in the past been seen on different political paths, now appear to be uniting their parties under a broader opposition strategy.
The announcement was confirmed by Jubilee’s Deputy Organising Secretary Pauline Njoroge. Speaking shortly after Gachagua declared that DCP would not be fielding a candidate, Njoroge said Jubilee would also stay out of the race and instead back a joint opposition aspirant. According to Gachagua, the joint opposition candidate will be Newton Karish of the Democratic Party (DP).
“The Jubilee Party will not be presenting a candidate in this election. We have resolved to throw our support behind the joint opposition candidate,” Njoroge said.
Jubilee Dismisses Confusion Over Nomination Papers
Njoroge also cleared the air over speculation that Jubilee’s National Executive Council (NEC) had already given nomination papers to an unknown individual. She firmly dismissed the reports, emphasizing that the party leadership, chaired by Uhuru Kenyatta, had not endorsed any aspirant for Mbeere North.
“As the Deputy Organizing Secretary of Jubilee, I want to clarify that our NEC, led by H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, has not issued nomination papers to any aspirant for the Mbeere North parliamentary by-election,” she said on Friday, September 12.
DCP Withdraws From Several By-Elections
On Wednesday, September 10, Gachagua’s DCP had announced that it would not contest three upcoming by-elections, including Mbeere North. Instead, the party resolved to back candidates fronted by allied opposition parties as part of a larger strategy for unity ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
This decision was reached during a high-level NEC meeting in Nairobi. Explaining the move, Gachagua noted that it was important for opposition parties to unite their efforts if they hoped to challenge the ruling coalition in future elections.
In Mbeere North, Gachagua said DCP would rally behind DP’s Newton Karish since the seat was previously held by a DP member. He also confirmed that DCP would support a Wiper candidate in the Muumbuni Ward by-election and a DAP-K aspirant in the Kabuchai/Chwele Ward race in Bungoma County.
Fallout Within DCP
The decision, however, has not gone down well with everyone in Gachagua’s party. Duncan Mbui, who had initially been fronted by DCP for the Mbeere North seat, abandoned the party after the announcement. He has since defected to Moses Kuria’s Chama cha Kazi (CCK) party, where he will run as their candidate.
Why the Seat is Vacant
The Mbeere North seat fell vacant after Geoffrey Ruku, who won the constituency on a DP ticket, was appointed by President William Ruto as the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service. His appointment created the need for a by-election in the area.
Candidates in the Race
The contest is now shaping up to be a three-horse race. Newton Karish, representing the opposition-backed Democratic Party, will face Leonard Muriuki of President Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Duncan Mbui of Chama cha Kazi.
With Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee and Rigathi Gachagua’s DCP uniting behind Karish, the by-election is expected to attract intense political attention, serving as an early test of opposition strength ahead of 2027.
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