Before a single vote is counted in Mbeere North, one thing is already clear: Rigathi Gachagua has lost the political argument. For weeks, he has crisscrossed the constituency proclaiming himself the undisputed voice of Mt Kenya — “mimi ndiye kusema Mlima.” He arrived expecting loyalty, applause, and obedience. What he found instead was a region quietly walking away from him.
Gachagua entered Mbeere with the confidence of a man who believed the people belonged to him. He framed the by-election not as a democratic contest but as a personal mission — a stage to wage political revenge against President William Ruto. The needs of Mbeere residents were pushed to the background, overshadowed by his bitterness and long-standing grudges.
But the ground had a different message.
In rally after rally, United Democratic Alliance (UDA) pulled larger, more enthusiastic crowds — in the very constituency Gachagua claimed as his stronghold. For a politician who has spent months insisting he commands the mountain vote, this was not just an embarrassment; it was a public rejection.
And it isn’t difficult to understand why.
Instead of talking about roads, water, schools, youth jobs, or stalled projects, Gachagua has spent his days warning residents about “government threats” and urging them to “teach Ruto a lesson.” He wants the people of Mbeere to fight his battles, absorb his frustrations, and convert their vote into his personal weapon.
But voters are wiser than he expected. Mbeere residents are choosing development over drama, progress over propaganda, future over feud.
The by-election was supposed to be Gachagua’s show of strength. Instead, it exposed how much his influence has faded — not because people fear him less, but because they expect more from their leaders.
And Mbeere has made one thing clear: This election is about their future, not his revenge.
