By Dorothy Musyoka
Barely a month after the fiercely contested Mbeere North parliamentary by-election, the constituency is once again bracing for another high-stakes political battle, with Evurore and Muminji wards emerging as the new frontline in an intensifying contest between the government and the opposition.
The renewed political heat follows the clearance of candidates by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), a move that has officially set the stage for ward by-elections already attracting significant political attention.
The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) moved swiftly to assert its presence after its candidates Duncan Muratia Nyaga (Evurore Ward) and Peterson Njeru Njiru (Muminji Ward)—were cleared to contest.
Among the leaders present were Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, Mbeere North MP Leo wa Muthende and Embu Woman Representative Pamela Njoki Njeru.
CS Ruku took a swipe at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) of retreating from the political battlefield.
“It is disappointing that DCP could not field candidates in both wards.This is not strategy, it is fear,” Ruku said.
Fresh from his parliamentary victory, MP Leo wa Muthende echoed the sentiment, urging the opposition to reconsider its footing in the constituency.
“The political ground here is already settled,” said Wa Muthende.
On the opposition side, the Democratic Party (DP) has cleared Albert Kigoro to contest the Evurore Ward seat, while the Devolution Empowerment Party (DEP) has fielded Ngari Boniface Kariuki for Muminji Ward, setting up direct contests with the UDA candidates in both wards.
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party will be fielding Duncan Mukang’u Jnr and Peterson Njeru Njiru (Weche) at Evurore and Muminji Wards during the by-election on 26th February, 2026.
As campaigns gather momentum, the Evurore and Muminji ward races are increasingly being framed as more than local contests.