Gachagua’s Door-to-Door Campaigns in Mbeere North Raise Eyebrows Amid High-Stakes By-Election

As the Mbeere North by-election heats up, political tensions in the region have reached dramatic levels, with Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua taking to door-to-door campaigns to drum up support for his party’s candidate. However, netizens and residents have raised eyebrows at the unusual optics surrounding his visits, suggesting a growing sense of desperation in his camp.

Observers report that Gachagua’s team is going above and beyond to create an image of humility and approachability, bringing along their own tea and a tea attendant — popularly dubbed a “tea girl” — to serve residents at each stop. At several homesteads, residents say Gachagua arrives, sets up tea with the help of his staff, poses for photos, and then moves to the next home, leaving little time for genuine interaction.

Some locals have expressed skepticism about the gesture, with fears running high that the highly politicized nature of the race could turn even something as simple as tea into a political weapon. “We don’t know what politics has brought to Mbeere this time,” one resident commented. “Even a cup of tea can’t be trusted. Some people have refused to drink it because the stakes are too high.”

This scene has drawn comparisons on social media to a theatrical performance, with critics accusing Gachagua of staging visits rather than genuinely engaging with constituents. One commentator quipped, “Pale Mbeere North, mzee wa vipindi wamunyoro comes with his own staff to cook and serve tea pretending to be taking tea from house to house… Mchezo wa taun.”

Political analysts note that the intensity of these gestures reflects the high stakes of the by-election. With UDA candidate Leonard Muriuki Muthende reportedly leading in internal polls, Gachagua’s ground operations appear to be in overdrive. By bringing tea and an attendant along, his team hopes to leave a memorable impression on voters and convey a sense of personal care — even if critics argue it’s overdone and transparent.

The Mbeere North race is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched and dramatic contests in the region, with both parties pulling out all stops in a battle seen as pivotal not just for local politics but also for broader county influence. Gachagua’s tea-driven campaigns may signal his camp’s desperation to win back lost ground before the polls close.