IEBC gazettes Mbeere North’s MP-elect Wamuthende and other by-election winners
IEBC has gazetted winners of last week’s by-elections, including disputed Mbeere North MP-elect Leo Wamuthende, clearing the way for Tuesday’s oath-taking despite ongoing political tensions.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has swiftly moved to gazette the winners of last week’s by-elections ahead of their oath-taking on Tuesday.
In a gazette notice released Monday evening, the electoral agency recognised the mini-poll winners as validly elected.
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Mbeere North Constituency winner Leo Wamuthende, whose victory stirred controversy and has been legally challenged, was also gazetted.
Wamuthende, who vied under the President’s party, emerged victorious in the Mbeere North parliamentary race, solidifying the party’s hold in Embu County. He secured 15,802 votes, narrowly edging out his nearest rival, Newton Kariuki (also known as Newton Karish), who garnered 15,308 votes.
There has been intense focus on Wamuthende’s victory, given the razor-thin margin between him and his opponent.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki personally led rallies for Wamuthende across Mbeere North in the run-up to the polls, framing the contest as a referendum on delivering development and continuing government-funded projects.
According to Kindiki, electing Wamuthende was essential for completing 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 Newton Karis. His campaign emphasised grassroots engagement: door-to-door canvassing, village-level outreach, and appeals to voters to resist what he described as "state-sponsored politics."
The build-up to the by-election was marred by mutual accusations of attempted 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 Sh600 million was used to influence the outcome.
Apart from Wamuthende’s win, David Dakwa secured the Malava MP seat. The party also maintained influence in the northern region, with Maalim Hassan winning the Banissa constituency.
Meanwhile, ODM demonstrated that its political machinery remains potent. The party swept key positions in its traditional strongholds, with Boyd Were winning the Kasipul parliamentary seat and Moses Omondi taking Ugunja. The coastal region also delivered for the Orange Party, as Harrison Kombe emerged victorious in Magarini.
However, the elections were not strictly a two-horse race. In a display of grassroots independence, Eric Wekesa defied the major-party waves to clinch the Kabuchai MCA seat as an Independent.
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