Kindiki, Gachagua Trade Blows as Mbeere North By-Election Heats Up

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and his predecessor Rigathi Gachagua clashed sharply on Wednesday as campaigns for the Mbeere North by-election entered the final stretch

The heated exchanges came as UDA’s Leonard Wa Muthende and Newton Karish of the Democratic Party (DP) battle to replace Geoffrey Ruku, who exited Parliament after being appointed to the Cabinet

Speaking in Kanyuambora while drumming up support for Wa Muthende, DP Kindiki accused Gachagua of “peddling insults” instead of highlighting his development record during his tenure as Deputy President

“Ati unanitusi, mimi ni rika yako? Wewe ni kingpin for who? Omba kura wacha kuja kunitusi nyumbani. You are a small timer, I will deal with you,” Kindiki fired, adding that he had warned Gachagua before his impeachment

Gachagua, who later campaigned for Karish in Kavengero and Ciangera, dismissed Kindiki’s remarks, insisting that Mbeere North voters had already settled on their preferred candidate

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“Mimi nauliza Ruto na Kindiki, iko haja gani ya kumwaga nusu bilioni Mbeere na Wakenya wanateseka?” he posed, accusing the Kenya Kwanza administration of unnecessary spending

The two candidates, Wa Muthende and Karish, face off next week in a by-election that has quickly morphed into a political supremacy duel between the region’s top leaders

The poll will determine who succeeds Ruku as Mbeere North MP

Writer : Mweru Mbugua