Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has explained why he is paying special attention to the Mbeere North by-election compared to other areas.
Speaking on Saturday, November 22, Gachagua said the government had intimidated Newton Kariuki’s supporters, and he was forced to intervene.
According to the DCP leader, the Mbeere North locals were fearing that the vote would be rigged, and saw no need to vote.
“I came to Mbeere because Karish’s supporters are very many, but they had been intimidated by the government and were feeling discouraged. Many of them were saying that in this election, the government would rig, so there was no need to vote.
“So, when I learned this, I knew I had to come to assure the people of Mbeere to go out and vote because we have put in place sufficient strategies to protect their votes,” said Gachagua.
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The former DP also said he had intended to go to Malava to campaign for DAP-K’s Seth Panyako, but an elderly person advised him to focus on Mbeere North instead.
“I was supposed to go to Malava yesterday. I wanted to rush to Nairobi and take a plane to Kisumu, then go to Malava, but an old man from home called me, told me a proverb and hung up his phone,” said Gachagua.
He continued, “I interpreted that proverb to mean that one should not leave home to chase opportunities elsewhere, take care of matters at home first.”
Gachagua has been camping in Mbeere North since November 16, 2025, campaigning for Kariuki.
The DCP leader has been conducting door-to-door campaigns across several villages to hold conversations with Mbeere North locals and persuade them to vote for Kariuki.
On Monday, November 17, Gachagua said he will camp in Mbeere North until the end of the campaigning period.
“I am very encouraged by the response and assistance from the residents that they cannot sell their vote no matter the price.
"For the next 9 days, I am on the ground, listening and engaging the people of Mbeere North,” Gachagua stated.
Kariuki, who is running on a Democratic Party of Kenya (DP) ticket, will face UDA’s Leonard Muthende in the by-election scheduled for Thursday, November 27, 2025.
On the same day, IEBC will conduct by-elections in 15 wards, 6 National Assembly seats and one senatorial seat.
