Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has dismissed allegations that his Chama Cha Kazi (CCK) party was strategically deployed to split opposition votes in the recently concluded Mbeere North by-election, calling the claims inconsistent and riddled with contradictions.
In a statement issued from his Nairobi office on November 29, 2025, Kuria questioned the logic behind the accusations, pointing out that CCK only adopted candidate Duncan Mbui after he was dropped by the Democratic Congress Party (DCP), the party led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
"The narrative that CCK was sent to divide votes falls apart when you consider the facts," Kuria said. "Mbui was a DCP aspirant who was unceremoniously dropped by his own party. We picked him up as a candidate of conscience. If we were vote-splitters, why didn't the opposition unite their aspirants the way UDA consolidated all those who lost to Wamuthende in their nominations?"
Kuria, who formed CCK in July 2025 after his sacking from the cabinet amid the June Gen Z protests, was responding to claims by Azimio coalition leaders who accused him of running a "decoy" candidate to hand the seat to UDA's Leonard Wamuthende.
Wamuthende won the November 27 by-election with 8,945 votes (61 percent), defeating ODM's Pius Njeru (4,567 votes, 31 percent) and Mbui's 2,480 votes (17 percent). The seat fell vacant after the death of former MP Pius Njeru in August 2025.
Kuria highlighted that besides the three main candidates, five other independents contested, polling a combined 567 votes. "Who sent those five to split votes?" he asked rhetorically. "The opposition wants to blame my 2,480 votes for their loss, but they conveniently forget UDA got over 15,000 votes in Mt Kenya. How can you lose and point fingers at the third-placed candidate?"
The former Gatundu South MP, who has been vocal in criticising the Ruto administration while maintaining his Kenya Kwanza membership, said the by-election results reflect voter preference for development over division. "Kenyans are tired of tribal mathematics and coalition games," Kuria stated. "They want leaders who deliver roads, water, and jobs. Wamuthende won because he connected with the people of Mbeere North, not because of any grand conspiracy."
DCP Secretary General Vincent Musau defended Mbui's candidacy, saying the party made a procedural decision to drop him after internal vetting. "Duncan Mbui was a strong contender, but party rules prevailed," Musau said. "We respect the electorate's choice and congratulate the winner."
ODM's Pius Njeru, who came second, conceded defeat but called for investigations into voter bribery allegations. "We fought a clean campaign, but reports of cash handouts in some polling stations raise questions," Njeru told supporters in Embu town on November 28. "We will petition IEBC for a recount in areas where turnout exceeded 100 percent."
UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar hailed the victory as a consolidation of Mt Kenya support. "Mbeere North has reaffirmed its loyalty to Kenya Kwanza," Omar said. "This is a mandate for development, not division."
Political analysts described the by-election as a microcosm of the 2027 national contest. University of Nairobi lecturer Dr Kariuki Muigua said Kuria's intervention highlights the fluidity of alliances in Mt Kenya. "Gachagua's DCP is positioning as the region's conscience, but Kuria's CCK is carving a niche for independents," Muigua observed. "The opposition's failure to unite behind Njeru cost them the seat."
The Mbeere North by-election, one of seven parliamentary contests held on November 27, saw voter turnout of 58 percent among 14,567 registered voters across 47 polling stations.
Results from other by-elections saw ODM retain Ugunja (Siaya) and Kasipul (Homa Bay), while UDA won Baringo Central and Magarini (Kilifi).
