Category: Politics

President William Ruto has emerged from months of diplomatic uncertainty to secure renewed favour with the Trump administration, clinching landmark agreements that position Kenya as a key African ally in Washington’s reconfigured global strategy.

The turning point came last Thursday when Ruto witnessed the signing of a peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda in Washington, an event that provided the Kenyan leader a platform to rebuild ties that had appeared strained since Trump’s return to the White House in January.

The visit yielded immediate dividends. Ruto signed a five-year health cooperation framework worth $2.5 billion with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, making Kenya the first country to enter into what Washington calls an “America First” global health funding agreement. Under the pact, the United States will contribute $1.7 billion while Kenya provides $850 million towards combating infectious diseases including HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.

The deal marks a significant shift from previous arrangements. Rather than channelling funds through non-governmental organisations as was common under the disbanded US Agency for International Development, the new framework places the Kenyan government at the centre of health programme implementation.

Trump himself extended a personal invitation to Ruto to attend the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles as his guest, praising Kenyan athletes as some of the world’s finest runners. “They do very well in the Olympics, those runners. I don’t know what you do with them. They are very good. I have been watching them for a long time,” Trump remarked during the Washington ceremony.

The warm reception contrasts sharply with earlier this year when Kenya’s relationship with Washington appeared precarious. Trump’s “America First” doctrine had seen aid programmes frozen and many of President Joe Biden’s foreign policies abandoned. Kenya seemed particularly vulnerable after the resignation of US Ambassador Meg Whitman just a week after Trump’s November 2024 election victory.

Tensions escalated further in May when Senator James Risch, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, questioned Kenya’s status as a major non-NATO ally, a designation granted by Biden in June 2024. Risch expressed concern over Ruto’s declaration that Kenya and China were “co-architects of a new world order,” describing it as allegiance rather than mere alignment with Beijing.

However, the escalating conflicts in eastern DRC and Sudan provided Ruto an opportunity to demonstrate Kenya’s value as a regional mediator. As chairman of the East African Community, the Kenyan president positioned himself as a crucial guarantor of the Trump-brokered DRC-Rwanda peace accord, leveraging previous Nairobi and Luanda peace processes that had laid groundwork for the Washington agreement.

Trump made clear his commercial interest in the deal. “We will be involved in sending some of our biggest and greatest companies over to the two countries and we are going to take out some of the rare earths, and some of their assets and pay,” the US president said, referring to mineral resources in the DRC.

Ruto seized the moment to articulate Kenya’s economic stake. “A peaceful eastern DRC can unlock one of Africa’s greatest economic opportunities. Our vast resources and youthful talent, connected through regional infrastructure and the African Continental Free Trade Area, can ignite an unprecedented transformation,” he told delegates at the US Institute of Peace.

Diplomatic sources suggest Ruto benefited from problems facing regional peers. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni faces elections and image challenges in Washington, while Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu has drawn criticism over a police crackdown on protesters, prompting Washington to review bilateral relations. Tanzania notably did not attend the Washington peace ceremony.

Kenya also avoided inclusion in Trump’s latest immigration restrictions affecting 19 countries, including several African nations. The timing of the announcement, which spared Kenya while restricting Somalia, Burundi, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya and Sudan, coincided with Ruto’s presence in Washington.

Beyond the health agreement, Ruto secured backing from the International Finance Corporation for Kenya’s proposed National Infrastructure Fund, signalling a push towards non-debt development financing. Discussions also covered public-private partnerships for infrastructure projects including the modernisation of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Susan Burns, Chargé d’Affaires at the US embassy in Nairobi, explained the health framework resulted from intense negotiations beginning in September. “The threats of HIV and tuberculosis and other communicable diseases are global challenges, and so strengthening Kenya’s health system also makes America safer,” she said.

The agreement requires Kenya to provide Washington with updates on infectious diseases, including data, samples and materials as needed. It emphasises faith-based medical providers while remaining open to all facilities enrolled in Kenya’s health insurance system.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi hailed the DRC-Rwanda peace accord as a major breakthrough. “This accord represents a major breakthrough for a region that has endured decades of conflict and human suffering. The Nairobi and Luanda processes have been instrumental in guiding this journey,” Mudavadi said.

Despite the diplomatic success, challenges remain at home. Kenya’s relationship with the DRC had been fraught, with Kinshasa earlier rejecting two Kenyan diplomats and accusing Nairobi of supporting rebels in eastern Congo. A month before the Washington summit, DRC President Felix Tshisekedi reportedly declined a meeting with Ruto at a Qatar summit.

Former presidents Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, who served as co-facilitators for the Congo peace process, were also invited to the Washington ceremony, providing continuity to the diplomatic efforts.

While Ruto’s Washington visit has restored momentum to Kenya-US relations, the underlying concerns that prompted Senate scrutiny over Kenya’s ties with China, Russia and Iran have not disappeared. The Trump administration still seeks to review Kenya’s major non-NATO ally status within 90 days, with a classified report due to Congress within 180 days examining Kenya’s strategic alignment and foreign engagements.

For now, however, Ruto has succeeded in demonstrating Kenya’s value to Washington’s African strategy, securing tangible benefits while navigating the complex terrain between competing global powers. Whether this diplomatic success translates into sustained partnership will depend on how Kenya manages its relationships with both Western allies and emerging powers in the months ahead.

United Opposition candidate Seth Panyako has claimed that President William Ruto’s government tried to entice him with a Cabinet Secretary position only days after he lost the Malava by-election.

Speaking during a radio interview on Wednesday, December 3, Panyako said the offer was made on November 28 and described it as an insult to voters who had endured violence during the campaigns.

He said he refused the offer because it went against the principles of his campaign and the suffering experienced by his supporters.

According to Panyako, the government’s approach was “the highest level of inhumanity” and a sign that “sycophants” were running the country. He insisted he did not seek elective office in order to be rewarded with a ministerial job and warned that accepting such an offer would betray the people of Malava and Kabras who had backed him.

Panyako said this was not the first time the Ruto administration had approached him.

In 2022, shortly after the general election, he was allegedly asked to take up a Principal Secretary position but declined, saying he already had work and preferred someone else to take the role.

At the time he was still in UDA and had actively campaigned for Ruto’s presidential bid.

He said his supporters immediately rejected the idea of him joining the government once rumours of the CS offer began circulating.

According to Panyako, residents urged him to stay true to his message and remain in opposition, telling him not to “dare join that bloody government.”

Panyako accused the president of campaigning against him during the Malava race because of his uncompromising stand on policy issues.

He said his agenda frightened the government because it challenged decisions he believes are harmful to Kenyans, including the abolition of the Linda Mama maternal health programme and what he termed as reckless changes in the education sector.

He claimed that entering Parliament with such a message would have created political trouble for the administration.

The Malava by-election ended with UDA candidate David Ndakwa emerging the winner with 21,564 votes against Panyako’s 20,210.

Ndakwa was declared the MP by Returning Officer Salim Abdala after what was described as a tightly contested race.

Panyako maintains that his defeat and the subsequent job offer from government reflect a broader intolerance to dissent.

He said his advocacy on policies affecting women’s health and education placed him in direct conflict with the administration, and he vowed to continue speaking out even outside Parliament.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 4 — Former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has alleged that Makadara MP George Aladwa was pressured by “holders of extremely powerful offices” to withdraw from a political pact positioning the lawmaker as his running mate for the 2027 Nairobi gubernatorial race.

In a statement on Wednesday, Kuria claimed Aladwa was summoned on Tuesday evening and directed to publicly denounce the ticket, barely 24 hours after the former CS announced the partnership.

“George Aladwa was summoned last evening by holders of extremely powerful offices and ordered to denounce our agreement on the Nairobi Governor ticket. I respect his decision,” Kuria wrote.

“I want to tell those forces to relax [because] I want to be Governor of Nairobi to save this collapsing city. But it’s not a life-and-death affair for me. Again, by doing this, you have let the cat out of the bag too early. Now we know your 2027 game plan.”

The Makadara legislator, who also chairs the ODM Nairobi Branch, addressed supporters where he firmly dismissed the proposed alliance, declaring that he would instead run for governor on an ODM ticket.

“I have said I will not be Moses Kuria’s deputy,” Aladwa said.

“I have firmly stated that I will be vying for the position of Governor of Nairobi on the ODM party ticket in 2027.”

Aladwa — a former Nairobi Mayor and one of the city’s longest-serving politicians — cited his extensive experience in city governance as justification for his plan to unseat Governor Johnson Sakaja.

‘City of filth’

Kuria had named Aladwa as his running mate on Monday in one of the most unexpected early alliances ahead of the 2027 polls, saying the partnership was driven by a shared commitment to reviving Nairobi.

“Not because of our tribes. Not because of our parties. Because we care for Nairobi,” Kuria said during the announcement.

“Because we understand what Nairobians are going through… [and] because we have what it takes to make Nairobi work again.”

The former CS has anchored his gubernatorial bid on President William Ruto’s repeated criticism of Nairobi’s deteriorating condition, including unmanaged waste, poor sanitation, and crumbling infrastructure.

“Nairobi cannot continue to be the city of filth, garbage and incompetence. I have heard your cry,” he wrote in October while confirming his candidature.

Aladwa’s entry into the race adds to a growing list of high-profile contenders seeking to challenge Governor Johnson Sakaja. Others who have signaled interest include Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.

Kuria, formerly Gatundu South MP and later a presidential advisor, had hoped the cross-party ticket with Aladwa would mark a bold new political approach for Nairobi.

But with the alliance collapsing within hours, the battle for City Hall appears increasingly unpredictable, with shifting alliances expected as the 2027 General Election draws closer.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has renewed his political outreach in Nairobi.

Gachagua told ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino that they were free to join his party if they felt dissatisfied within ODM.

Speaking on Wednesday in Nairobi while receiving two newly elected DCP MCAs, Gachagua defended his stepped-up mobilisation, saying he was within his rights to promote his party.

“Let nobody make me feel like I am committing any political crime by marketing my party. That is my job,” he said.

He told Sifuna and Babu that they were welcome in DCP or any other party within the United Opposition.

“Edwin Sifuna, if you are chased in ODM, come to DCP. Sifuna is a great senator in Nairobi, and I have no problem with DCP supporting him to be senator of Nairobi in 2027,” he said.

He extended a similar invitation to Babu, saying, “Babu Owino, if you are chased in ODM, come to DCP.”

Gachagua described DCP as “the party of Kenyan patriots,” but added that if the two leaders preferred not to join DCP, they could still work with Wiper.

He maintained that cooperation within the united opposition remained intact.

“Where Wiper is strong, we support; where DCP is strong, we support,” he said, adding that the coalition was optimistic about winning the Lang’ata constituency seat in 2027.

Gachagua reiterated that his efforts to expand DCP ahead of the 2027 elections aligned with broader opposition collaboration.

“You build your party, come and compete. I don’t hold any brief for any party, even if it is in the united opposition,” he said.

“I sell my party, and then I work with parties within the united opposition,” he added.

Gachagua also criticised ODM’s political approach, saying he believed that the party risked weakening itself by aligning too closely with the government.

He framed his remarks as a concern for what he considers the importance of strong political parties for democracy.

“I am saddened that ODM is being weakened,” he said, adding that vibrant parties strengthen democratic competition.

He referenced recent by-elections as, in his view, indicators of shifting political dynamics, citing the Narok town MCA seat won by DCP, the Kisa East ward victory in Western Kenya, and the Purko Ward seat won by UDA.

“If you allow the party to be sold, you will become a minority party. You will only get a few seats in Luo Nyanza,” he said, framing it as a warning based on his political assessment.

Makadara MP George Aladwa has firmly dismissed an overture by former Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria to be his running mate in the 2027 Nairobi gubernatorial race, declaring instead that he is eyeing the top job on an ODM ticket.

Speaking Tuesday evening at Bidii Primary School in Buruburu, Aladwa said his ambitions do not include playing second fiddle in a race he believes he is well-positioned to win.

“I have said I will not be Moses Kuria’s deputy. I have firmly stated that I will be vying for the position of Governor of Nairobi on the ODM party ticket in 2027,” Aladwa said, stressing that he intends to reclaim the county leadership he last held in 2013 as Nairobi’s final mayor under the old constitutional order.

His remarks come just days after Kuria hinted at a possible cross-party formation when he posted an image with Aladwa on December 1, suggesting they could jointly steer Nairobi’s future.

“Not because of our tribes. Not because of our parties. Because we care for Nairobi. Because we understand what Nairobians are going through,” Kuria wrote, adding that the pair had the experience and networks needed “to make Nairobi work again.”

Aladwa’s decisive rejection puts to rest speculation of a potential alliance and adds him to the growing list of political heavyweights lining up to challenge Governor Johnson Sakaja, who won the seat on a UDA ticket in 2022.

The race has already attracted Kuria, Embakasi North MP James Gakuya of DCP, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino of ODM, and former Transport PS Nyakera Irungu, also affiliated with DCP.

“I am not going to play second fiddle to anyone in Nairobi,” Aladwa said Wednesday morning. “That’s what I was reaffirming when I met my supporters in Buruburu.”

The fight for control of the capital intensified over the weekend after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua claimed to have struck a deal with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka to let Gachagua’s DCP front Nairobi’s next governor. Kalonzo quickly disowned the alleged pact, accusing unnamed government-linked individuals of orchestrating confusion within the opposition.

Nairobi, one of Kenya’s most ethnically diverse political battlegrounds, has never re-elected a governor since devolution began. As parties scramble to craft alliances and secure votes across communities, the 2027 race is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable contests yet.

President William Ruto has refuted claims that he intends to stay in power beyond the constitutionally stipulated time.

Speaking at State House Nairobi on Tuesday, December 2, during a meeting with chiefs and assistant chiefs, President Ruto said he has no interest in extending his stay in office.

”Kuna watu wako na tabia mbaya. Wengine wameenda kusema ati ohh Rais anapanga kukaa madarakani miaka 20, kwani mimi ni mwendawazimu?” the President wondered.

According to President Ruto, being a president is not for the faint-hearted.

He emphasized that leadership requires enduring a lot, especially when making difficult decisions.

”Kwani watu wanafikiria kazi ya kuwa rais ni raisi? Kupigiwa kelele kila siku?” he said.

The President added that he looks forward to completing his term and making way for the next in line.

”Mimi nangojea nimalize niende mwingine achukue asonge mbele,” he said.

Speculation about prolonging the presidential term arose following President William Ruto’s comments on Friday, November 28, where he reflected on the potential evolution of Kenya under the affordable housing initiative over the coming decades.

He asked, “If this work of building houses and markets across the country has taken two years, how about ten years, or twenty years? Won’t Kenya change?”

Certain social media commentators took these words as an indication of intentions to remain in office past the standard two terms.

A political gamble meant to revive Stanley Kenga’s career has instead wrecked it, after he suffered a devastating defeat in the Magarini by-election three years after losing the same seat by only 21 votes.

Harrison Garama Kombe of ODM reclaimed the Magarini seat with 17,909 votes in the November 27, 2025 poll. His closest challenger, Kenga, managed 8,907.

The gap was wide, humiliating and a complete reversal from the razor-thin 2022 race.

In the August 2022 general election, Magarini produced one of the closest contests in the country.

Kombe won with 11,946 votes against Kenga’s 11,925. The narrow difference pushed Kenga into a lengthy legal fight that lasted nearly two years.

The petition journey moved from the High Court to the Court of Appeal and finally to the Supreme Court. High Court Judge Alfred Mabeya nullified Kombe’s win after finding irregularities in the tallies and voter registers. The Court of Appeal agreed with the decision.

In May 2024, the Supreme Court settled the matter by upholding the nullification.

The judges held that the 2022 poll had suffered violations that compromised its integrity. Magarini was sent back to the electorate for a fresh vote.

Between that ruling and the by-election, Kenga made the decision that would cost him his political lifeline.

After contesting under UDA in 2022, he lost the party’s support when it stepped out of the Magarini race and backed ODM as part of coalition negotiations.

Kenga turned to the Democracy for Citizens Party, led by Rigathi Gachagua. The move placed him at odds with the political mood in the Coast region. DCP has little presence in Kilifi and its national profile is built on confrontations with President William Ruto and ODM.

For Magarini voters, the party shift looked like a betrayal of the coalition that had supported Kenga earlier. It also weakened his campaign networks, which had previously drawn strength from UDA’s structures.

ODM, on the other hand, activated a full ground operation.

Kombe spent the petition years rebuilding ward-level units, meeting local clusters and reminding voters that the nullification was a legal technicality rather than a rejection.

The party deployed senior figures and revived its grassroots energy in the Coast.

By-election day confirmed the political mood.

The man who once trailed Kombe by only 21 votes now faced a 9,002-vote defeat.

Kenga’s campaign could not match ODM’s organisational strength or the personal connection Kombe had established during the prolonged legal battle.

Analysts say the result shows how quickly fortunes can change when a candidate loses political alignment with the region.

They point to voter fatigue with the petition saga, Kombe’s stronger local network and ODM’s deep roots in the Coast.

For Kenga, the outcome is a harsh reminder that party identity still carries enormous weight in Kilifi.

For DCP, Magarini exposes the limits of national political theatrics in regions where voters prioritise stability and familiarity.

As Kombe prepares to return to Parliament, the by-election will likely be studied as a lesson in strategy, grassroots work and the consequences of misreading local politics.

Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka has accused President William Ruto of directly influencing the outcome of the Malava and Mbeere North by elections, saying the results announced on November 30 do not reflect the will of the people.

Speaking during a thanksgiving service at AIC Mukuni Church in Machakos County on Sunday, Kalonzo said his coalition had gathered evidence showing state interference at critical stages of voting and tallying.

Kalonzo claimed President Ruto personally phoned two OCS officers in Mbeere North during the by election and pressured them to ensure the UDA candidate emerged victorious.

He said the involvement of the highest office in the land compromised the credibility of the vote and called for both national and international scrutiny.

“UDA did not win in Malava and Mbeere. We have evidence that President Ruto called two OCS in Mbeere and said Wamuthende must win. That is direct interference,” he told the congregation.

He described the results as coerced and insisted the people’s voice had been suppressed.

Kalonzo said residents of Malava and Mbeere North were deeply wounded by what he described as a manipulated process.

He said many voters felt their right to choose leaders freely had been violated and the environment during polling was charged with tension and fear.

He argued that these by elections showed why Kenya was still struggling with public trust in electoral institutions.

He accused police officers of working with hired groups to disrupt the process and claimed that security personnel helped goons interfere with the vote.

According to him, the state had turned the police into political actors who intimidated voters instead of protecting them.

Kalonzo announced that his coalition would move to court to challenge the results.

He said the petition would expose what he described as systematic election interference and assured supporters that the truth would come to light once the case is filed.

“We are preparing a very strong and clear petition. If the president had good conscience he would have let this matter end early. We will not allow this to stand,” he said.

The opposition had earlier warned of a rigging scheme in the two constituencies, including irregular ballots, inconsistent tallying and suspicious activities around polling stations.

Government and UDA officials have dismissed these claims and accused the opposition of attempting to delegitimise a credible process.

With Kalonzo promising a court battle, the dispute over the Malava and Mbeere North contests now sets the stage for another confrontation between the opposition and the government.

The petition is expected to intensify political tensions as the country edges closer to the 2027 polls.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has sparked a fresh political storm after claiming Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has agreed to surrender all Nairobi seats to his Democracy for Citizens Party in the 2027 elections.

Speaking during a charged Thanksgiving ceremony in Kariobangi North on Sunday, Gachagua told supporters that DCP had entered a political pact with Wiper that would see his party take over the capital from governor to MCA level.

He said the agreement placed DCP at the centre of Nairobi politics and showed the party was preparing for a sweeping takeover in two years.

Gachagua told the crowd that DCP would front candidates for the governor, senator and woman representative positions.

He added that out of Nairobi’s 17 constituencies, the two parties had agreed that DCP and Wiper would collectively take 16.

He also said the pact would target at least 75 out of the 85 county assembly wards, giving his party what he described as an overwhelming majority once the election season arrives.

He said Nairobi would become the base of DCP’s national growth and insisted that the party had already shown it could challenge larger political outfits.

He noted that DCP had secured victories in recent by-elections in Kariobangi North, Narok Town and Kisa East.

He accused his critics of misleading the public by focusing on the Mbeere North by-election, where DCP did not field a candidate, and ignoring what he called the party’s wider successes.

Gachagua dismissed suggestions that the Mbeere North loss signalled diminishing political influence in Mt Kenya.

He said he only visited the area to support a Democratic Party candidate and insisted that the defeat had no bearing on DCP’s positioning.

His focus, he said, is on transforming DCP into a truly national movement with Nairobi as the anchor.

He accused the government of attempting to intimidate him after chaotic scenes unfolded at the Kariobangi North event.

Rival groups clashed before and during the ceremony for newly elected MCA David Wanyoike Warui, disrupting parts of the gathering and forcing police to intervene. Gachagua blamed state-sponsored elements for the violence and claimed those in power were resorting to intimidation because they feared his growing support.

He warned that attempts to disrupt his meetings would only harden community resentment and energise supporters who felt sidelined.

He said those behind the chaos were misguided if they believed that intimidation could win Nairobi voters.

The alleged deal with Kalonzo, if true, would signal one of the most dramatic political realignments heading into 2027, with both leaders positioning themselves as central figures in the contest for Nairobi’s political future.

Wiper has not publicly confirmed the arrangement, although leaders allied to both camps have hinted at ongoing talks.

Analysts say Nairobi’s political landscape is entering a period of uncertainty as alliances shift and parties begin laying the groundwork for a potentially bruising contest.

For Gachagua, the capital now appears to be the battleground he wants to claim as proof that DCP is more than a regional protest outfit.

President William Ruto’s long-time aide, Farouk Kibet, has reached out to former Malava parliamentary candidate Seth Panyako, urging him to unite with MP-elect David Ndakwa and help steer the constituency forward after a tightly contested by-election.

Speaking shortly after Ndakwa was declared the winner, Kibet praised the people of Malava for delivering what he described as a decisive and peaceful verdict.

Ndakwa clinched victory with 21,564 votes against Panyako’s 20,120 in a race marked by high turnout and intense grassroots mobilisation.

Kibet, who became the face of UDA’s campaign in Malava after Ndakwa secured the party’s nomination, said the election period was now behind them and it was time to rebuild trust and channel energy into development.

He told Ndakwa to serve all residents without discrimination, saying leadership must rise above political lines.

“Serve the people of Malava, those who voted for you and those who didn’t,” he said, urging the MP-elect to focus on issues that affect households across the constituency.

Turning to Panyako, the DAP-K candidate who finished second, Kibet extended an olive branch and called for cooperation.

“Forget the other issues and focus on building Malava,” he said, adding that unity was more important than campaign rivalries. He went further, vowing to personally petition President Ruto to give Panyako a job in government if he agrees to work with Ndakwa.

“I will talk to the President to find him a job in government,” Kibet said, arguing that Panyako’s experience and passion for public service should not be lost simply because of an election outcome.

Kibet hailed residents for maintaining peace throughout the campaign, saying their conduct showed growing political maturity in the region. He credited the victory to a well-organised ground operation led by UDA’s local leadership, volunteers and community elders who rallied behind Ndakwa.

For nearly a month, Kibet led dawn-to-dusk tours across Malava, a presence that energised UDA supporters and rattled the opposition. Many observers described his involvement as one of the most coordinated political offensives seen in recent by-election cycles.

He urged residents to fully support Ndakwa as he assumes office, adding that development will only be achieved if the constituency moves forward as one. He advised the MP-elect to move quickly in addressing key concerns raised during the campaign, among them roads, education, healthcare and youth empowerment.

Kibet said the peaceful conclusion of the by-election offered a strong example for future contests and a foundation on which Malava can pursue accelerated growth under its new leadership.

The Orange Democratic Movement has pulled off a sweeping victory in the November 28 by-elections, reclaiming all three parliamentary seats that were up for contest and reaffirming its grip in traditional strongholds.

The party’s leadership, led by veteran politician Oburu Oginga, celebrated the wins as a renewed vote of confidence from the electorate.

Oburu, who has maintained a low public profile in recent months, resurfaced on Friday with a congratulatory message to the party’s newly elected MPs.

In a statement posted on his X account, he hailed the victories of Boyd Were in Kasipul, Harrison Kombe in Magarini and Moses Omondi in Ugunja, describing the clean sweep as evidence of ODM’s enduring grassroots strength.

He said the three wins reflected the trust local communities continue to place in the party’s vision and leadership.

His remarks came hours after Returning Officer Rebecca Abwaku confirmed Boyd Were’s victory in Kasipul, the first of the three Constituencies to announce results.

Were delivered a decisive win after collecting 16,819 votes against independent candidate Philip Nashon Aroko, who managed 8,476.

ODM supporters poured into the streets of Oyugis and Mumbo at dawn, breaking into song and dance as they escorted their MP-elect through impromptu celebrations that brought business to a standstill.

In Ugunja, the electoral commission declared Moses Omondi the clear winner after he secured 9,227 votes in a race marked by low turnout across Siaya County.

His closest challenger, Wiper’s Orodi Odhiambo, posted 1,819 votes, while UDM’s Fredrick Ochiel finished third with 1,200.

The crowded field also featured candidates from UGM, LPM, Kenya Moja, KANU, NAP, Jubilee and NLP, none of whom crossed the 1,200-vote mark.

On the Coast, ODM completed its sweep after Harrison Kombe clinched the Magarini seat, sealing what party officials described as a strong statement ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Though official tallies were still being finalised by press time, ODM confirmed Kombe’s victory, crediting it to an energised campaign and a united local branch.

The party now turns its attention to consolidating its wins and preparing its new lawmakers for immediate legislative work.

For ODM, the by-election results come as a political boost at a time it has been working to reassert influence nationally, while for the ruling Kenya Kwanza alliance the outcomes present a reminder of the stiff competition awaiting in key battleground regions.

In a tightly contested and hotly watched by-election, UDA’s Leo Wamuthende has emerged winner of the Mbeere North parliamentary seat, solidifying the party’s hold in Embu County.

Wamuthende secured 15,802  votes, edging out his nearest rival, Newton Kariuki (also known as Newton Karish), who garnered 15,308 votes.

Celebrations erupted across Siakago, Mutuobare, Kanyuambora and other towns in the constituency, with supporters carrying Wamuthende on their shoulders, chanting victory slogans.

A proxy battle turned battleground for Mt. Kenya politics

What began as a routine by-election — triggered by the elevation of former MP Geoffrey Ruku to Cabinet in March 2025 — morphed into a high-stakes duel between the camps of two of Kenya’s most powerful political figures: Kithure Kindiki, the sitting Deputy President, and his predecessor, Rigathi Gachagua.

Kindiki personally led rallies for Wamuthende across Mbeere North in the run-up to the polls, casting the contest as a referendum on delivering development and continuity of government-funded projects.

According to him, electing Wamuthende was vital for completion of major works — including roads, water and electricity infrastructure, and water-reticulation projects from the Kiambere Dam.

On the other side, Gachagua threw his weight behind Kariuki. His campaign adopted a grassroots approach: door-to-door canvassing, village-level outreach, and appeals to voters to resist what he described as “state-sponsored politics.”

The rivalry injected national-level political significance into a constituency by-election, turning Mbeere North into a proxy arena for broader power tussles within the Mt. Kenya region.

Claims of intimidation, bribery and political violence mar the contest

The build-up to the by-election was marred by mutual accusations of attempted election rigging, intimidation and vote-buying.

Gachagua accused the government and UDA of sponsoring goons, paying youth for their IDs, and mobilising cash to sway voters — alleging that up to Sh 600 million was being used to influence the outcome.

He further raised alarms over social-media videos threatening violence, naming senior officials as allegedly behind the threats, and appealed to the Inspector General of Police for protection.

The UDA, for its part, rejected the allegations. The party countered that its campaign had been peaceful, and that the opposition’s accusations were part of “melodramatic reactions” meant to discredit Wamuthende’s bid.

During his final rallies, Kindiki warned that anyone seeking to disrupt peace would be dealt with firmly by the government. He urged constituents to exercise their democratic rights without fear.

Despite the tense climate, initial reports from polling day suggested that voting largely proceeded, though isolated pockets of unrest were reported — with both camps blaming each other for alleged voter-bribery and intimidation.

What Wamuthende’s win signals for Embu and beyond

Wamuthende’s victory represents more than just a local political win. Analysts suggest it consolidates UDA’s dominance in Embu County and signals a wider strengthening of Kindiki’s influence in Mt. Kenya East.

For Wamuthende personally, the win elevates him as one of the region’s rising youthful political figures — with a development-oriented campaign that resonated with voters.

For opposition forces, particularly those aligned to Gachagua, the narrow defeat may prompt a reassessment of strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The strong showing by Kariuki suggests persistent appetite among voters for an alternative to the ruling party — but also underlines the challenge of overcoming the weight of state machinery when it is fully mobilised.

Broader implications: why Mbeere North matters

By-elections such as Mbeere North have repeatedly been described by political pundits as “small elections, big impact”: though they concern a single constituency, the winners and losers can shift power balances across regions.

In this case, the contest has become a bellwether for the larger contest inside Mt. Kenya politics — where allegiances, personalities, and regional influence often define electoral outcomes. The high-profile involvement of two deputy presidents — incumbent and former —elevated the stakes, suggesting this was more than a by-election: it was a referendum on competing visions for the region’s political future.

For UDA, the win underscores its ability to deliver — not only the ballot but promises of development.

For the opposition, it offers both a lesson and a challenge: winning under pressure and in the face of formidable state mobilization will demand sharper strategy and deeper grassroots engagement.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has declared Boyd Ongondo Were of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) the duly elected Member of the National Assembly for Kasipul Constituency.

Returning Officer Rebecca Abwaku announced the results late Friday, November 28, 2025, confirming that Were clinched victory with an impressive 16,819 votes, securing a clear lead over his closest competitor, Philip Nashon Aroko, an independent candidate, who garnered 8,476 votes.

The contest featured 10 candidates, making Kasipul one of the most competitive parliamentary by-elections in the November 27, 2025, mini-polls.

In a statement issued after the results, the IEBC commended the electorate for turning out to exercise their democratic right.