Jubilant celebrations erupted at the Siakago Tallying Centre early Friday morning after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) declared Leonard Muriuki wa Muthende, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate, as the MP-elect for Mbeere North.
The UDA leadership — including Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki, Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku, and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire — arrived at the tallying centre shortly after the declaration to congratulate Wa Muthende and join supporters in marking the victory.
Official Results
According to IEBC’s final tally:
- Leonard Muriuki wa Muthende (UDA): 15,802 votes
- Newton Kariuki Ndwiga (DP): 15,308 votes
The razor-thin margin of 494 votes made this one of the closest constituency races in recent years, keeping voters, agents, and party officials anxious as results streamed in from across Mbeere North.
Wa Muthende’s Victory Speech
In his acceptance remarks, Wa Muthende expressed gratitude to the people of Mbeere North for their confidence in his leadership. He pledged to:
- Unify the constituency,
- Prioritize equitable development across all wards, and
- Work closely with both national and county governments.
He highlighted key issues he plans to address immediately, including:
- Persistent water scarcity,
- Youth unemployment, and
- Poor road infrastructure that continues to hinder economic growth.
Political Significance
The win solidifies UDA’s influence in Embu County, while also signaling heightened political competitiveness in Mbeere North. Analysts note that the narrow margin reflects shifting voter dynamics that may influence campaign strategies ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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