Chaos erupted in Mbeere North on Thursday morning as political campaigns ahead of the November 27 by-election reached a fever pitch.
At Kanyuambora shopping center, a group of residents reportedly looted a local shop, with the incident captured on video showing dozens of individuals in green campaign reflectors scattering with goods. While authorities have not confirmed if the looting was politically motivated, some of the looters displayed merchandise linked to one of the candidates.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua have both been leading vigorous campaigns in the constituency. Kindiki held a People’s Forum in Kanyuambora, rallying hundreds of residents behind United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Leonard Muthede. He was joined by former Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku, whose cabinet appointment created the vacancy.
Gachagua, campaigning for Democratic Party (DP) candidate Newton Karish, spent the morning engaging residents in Nthawa wards, visiting Muguka farms and the Mla Chake Muguka market to meet farmers and traders.
From intimate tea sessions with locals to large-scale rallies, the campaigns reflect a heated contest between Muthede and Karish, highlighting the constituency’s intense political engagement ahead of the by-election.
