UDA, united opposition in fresh face-off as Mbeere North ward elections nears

After the hotly contested parliamentary by-election in Mbeere North Constituency in November 2025, another political showdown is expected between the opposition and the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in the upcoming by-elections in Evurore and Muminji Wards.

‎The seats fell vacant after the occupants, Duncan Mbui of Evurore and Newton Karish of Muminji, relinquished their seats to vie in the parliamentary race, but lost to UDA's Leonard Wa Muthende.

‎The contest has started taking shape with the completion of UDA's nomination last Saturday, which saw Peterson Njeru secure a ticket to vie in Muminji while Duncan Muratia bagged the ticket to contest in Evurore.

The two candidates were formally issued with the nomination certificates on Tuesday in Nairobi alongside others who will be contesting for various seats in the upcoming by-elections in other parts of the country. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) announced that the by-elections would be held on February 26, 2026. 

‎On the other side, the opposition will field joint candidates in each Ward with the Democratic Party (DP) taking Evurore Ward and the Devolution Empowerment Party (DEP) trying its hand in Muminji Ward.

‎Mbeere North MP Leonard Muthende UDA has expressed confidence in the ruling party sweeping both seats, saying the party enjoys good support in the area.

 "We want to tell the opposition to prepare for another loss," he stated, as he challenged DCP Leader Rigathi Gachagua to field candidates on his party ticket to face off with UDA.

Speaking at Kanyuambora market on Tuesday, Muthende asked Gachagua to accept the challenge to prove his perceived political dominance in Mt. Kenya Region.

“When you came here last year for the campaigns, there was no MP, but this time it will be Wa Muthende versus Wa Munyoro,” the MP stated.

UDA nominee Namu, who hit out at his former party for what he termed as carrying out shambolic nominations.