Mbeere North by-election: Campaign gimmicks turn to a tea drinking competition

The race to find the next Mbeere North Constituency prince has taken an outlandish route, one that has embraced tea-drinking gimmicks and less of policy advancement.

The race has seen a contention between two top political factions – the ruling party, United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the United Opposition's Democratic Party (DP), ahead of the by-election set to be held on November 27.

Campaigns for the much-coveted position have thrown Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and his predecessor, theUnited Opposition co-principal Rigathi Gachagua, who also leads the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).

UDA’s Leonard Muriuki Wamuthende and DP’s Newton Karish have joined the two leaders in a persistent campaign trail, however, in a peculiar gambit.

Early morning on Monday, November 17, Gachagua set out to take a stroll in Kanyuambora area, meeting with early-rising residents, urging them to vote for Karish.

Minutes later, he walked into a homestead and shared a cup of tea. The gesture was only the start.

Meanwhile, DP Kindiki and the UDA brigade staged a stiff campaign in Siakago town that stretched into the night.

Gachagua maintained the morning strolls in different places around the constituency, sharing a cup of tea in homes, while holding engagements with the public during the day in the company of Karish and other leaders in the United Opposition.

The door-to-door strategy is a novelty in Kenyan politics, as aspiring candidates normally ride atop their car sunroofs while wooing supporters in different parts of the nation.

Gachagua’s model was silently replicated by DP Kindiki’s team as they swiftly abandoned car roofs and started knocking on homesteads for a cup of tea and sharing meals.

This was seen in the towns of Ishiara, Muthanthara, Kirie, Kamùùgù, Kageeri and Kanyuambora from Monday to Thursday.

As the campaign trail tightens, the two political rivals have onboarded reinforcements to bolster their campaigns.

Gachagua has had DP party leader Justin Muturi, former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa and DCP deputy leader Cleophas Malala.

UDA’s team had former Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku, now Public Service CS, and UDA Chairperson Cecily Mbarire among other leaders.

Decisive victory.

The party that secures victory will secure a definitive influence in the Mt Kenya region which has for aeons been an electoral stronghold due to its significant majority of Kenya's population.

Politicians, particularly presidential aspirants, have heavily depended on the region to secure victory in election cycles.

President William Ruto has, however, suffered a thinning support from the region after his administration's policies became unpopular after taking power in 2022.

He has since carefully attempted to charm the region, which has been challenged by the United Opposition that has seemingly won the region's confidence.