MBEERE NORTH, Kenya — The Mbeere North by-election, held on November 27, 2025, was ultimately a close contest between Leo Wa Muthende of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Newton Karish of the Democratic Congress Party (DCP).
Leo Wa Muthende emerged victorious, securing 15,802 votes and narrowly defeating Karish, who garnered 15,308 votes.
In his first post-election interview, Muthende reflected on his tight win, asserting that the result was more a reflection of the low turnout and charged environment typical of a by-election rather than a true measure of his support base.
He firmly believes that the majority of constituents support him and that a general election would have yielded a decisive victory.
Muthende stated his conviction regarding the potential difference in a wider electoral context:
“If this had been a general election, I’m convinced the numbers would have been completely different. I would have taken it by a landslide,” he said.
The personal cost of public service
Despite his political confidence, the new parliamentarian described the significant emotional toll the campaign took behind the scenes.
While he has cultivated what he terms a “thick skin” from years in public life, his family was exposed to the bruising nature of political conflict.
He noted that the constant flow of negative stories, attacks, and harsh commentary was particularly painful for his loved ones.
He expressed the difficulty of this experience:
“I’m used to political pressure, but seeing my family shaken by the negativity was the hardest part,” he said.
Dismissal of rigging claims and significance of the oath
Muthende dismissed the claims of his opponents regarding election rigging, classifying the allegations as baseless and politically motivated. He stated that the defining moment of the journey was not found in the noise surrounding the vote, but rather in the solemnity of taking the oath of office.
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He described the profound meaning of his commitment to his constituents:
“Holding that Bible and committing myself to my people was one of the best moments of my life,” he said.
A call for public accountability
Looking forward, the parliamentarian urged Kenyans to adopt a broad perspective on the nation’s future and to embrace their essential role in ensuring government accountability.
He concluded that elections should be viewed not as endpoints, but as critical instruments for delivering service, responsibility, and national progress.
He finalized his remarks with a direct appeal to the citizenry:
“I want Kenyans to think more about the country and hold the government accountable to its promises,” he said.
