The poll is scheduled for November 27, following the appointment of former MP Geoffrey Ruku as Public Service Cabinet Secretary.
Speaking on Friday, September 12, Jubilee Deputy Organising Secretary Pauline Njoroge confirmed the party will not be presenting a candidate, but will instead support Newton Karish of the Democratic Party (DP).
“The Jubilee Party will not be fielding a candidate in this race. Instead, we will support the joint opposition candidate,” Njoroge said.
She dismissed reports that the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) had secretly issued nomination papers.
“As the Deputy Organizing Secretary of the Jubilee Party, I wish to clarify. The NEC, chaired by H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, has not issued nomination papers to any aspirant for the Mbeere North parliamentary by-election,” she added.
Earlier in the week, Gachagua’s DCP also announced it would not field candidates in three upcoming by-elections, Mbeere North, Muumbuni Ward, and Kabuchai/Chwele Ward, choosing instead to support candidates from allied opposition parties.
In Mbeere North, Gachagua said his party’s support for Karish was influenced by the fact that DP previously held the seat. Similarly, DCP pledged support for Wiper in Muumbuni Ward and for DAP-K in Kabuchai/Chwele Ward.
The DCP decision has, however, led to fallout, with its former aspirant Duncan Mbui defecting to Moses Kuria’s Chama cha Kazi to remain in the race.
With Jubilee and DCP rallying behind Karish, the by-election is now set to be a three-horse battle between Karish, UDA’s Leonard Muriuki, and Mbui of Chama cha Kazi.
